TU vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Oakland based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 15,768 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Oakland University 17:1.

TU vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or Oakland? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Oakland University than TU ($12,208 vs. $16,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 32.8% lower than at Towson University ($10,932 vs. $16,260).
• Oakland University is 30.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $3,534 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at TU than at Oakland University (about $6,632 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oakland University than at Towson University (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($12,988 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU or Oakland? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Oakland and TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is 40 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Oakland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

TU vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and Oakland? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Oakland graduates ($17,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakland graduates ($183 vs. $258).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.