Oakland University

Public · Moderately Selective · MI

Photo: Brian Gingrich (Public domain)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationMI · Midwest

SettingSuburban

Undergrads12,351

Student:faculty17:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate34.8%

6-yr grad rate57.6%

Drop-out rate22.1%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$15k

Out-of-state tuition$23k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity30.9%

Gender diversity57.2%

International1.9%

Identity—

Overview

Oakland University sits in Rochester, Michigan, on the former estate grounds of the Dodge family in metro Detroit's northern suburbs. Founded in 1957 by Matilda Dodge Wilson as a satellite of Michigan State, it became fully independent in 1970 and has since grown into a comprehensive university with a practical, career-focused identity. It draws heavily from Oakland and Macomb counties, and the presence of its own medical school and a major regional health system partner give it a health-sciences weight unusual for a school its age.

Academics

Engineering, business, nursing, and health professions are the strongest draws, anchored by the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, a partnership with Beaumont/Corewell Health founded in 2011 that gives undergraduates in health fields clinical and research access unusual for a school of its size. The School of Engineering and Computer Science and the business school both lean toward applied, career-preparation curricula rather than a heavily theoretical liberal arts core, with internship placements at metro Detroit employers a regular part of coursework.

Campus & student life

Much of the student body commutes, which gives Oakland a quieter, less traditionally residential social scene than many public universities, though on-campus housing and a growing set of student organizations serve the portion of students who live there. The historic grounds set the campus apart: Meadow Brook Hall, one of the largest surviving homes in the country and a National Historic Landmark, anchors one end of campus, and the adjacent Meadow Brook Theatre and outdoor amphitheater bring professional performances within walking distance of dorms.

Getting in

Admission is generally accessible and credentials-focused, with an emphasis on academic preparation for the specific professional program a student is targeting. Nursing and other health-field programs are considerably more competitive at the program level than the university's overall admission, so applicants aiming at those tracks benefit from strong science grades and, where relevant, early declared interest.

After graduation

Health-professions graduates have a direct pipeline into the Beaumont/Corewell Health system for clinical placements and early employment, a genuine advantage for pre-health students uncommon at a school of this size. Engineering and business graduates find steady regional placement with metro Detroit's automotive, manufacturing, and financial employers, aided by internship ties built into the curriculum.

Worth knowing

The Beaumont/Corewell Health affiliation is a genuine differentiator for pre-health and nursing students, giving them access to a major regional health system's clinical training infrastructure while still an undergraduate. Meadow Brook Hall and its grounds also host public tours and events, so the campus doubles as a regional cultural attraction beyond its academic function.

oakland.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate87.8%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1030–1230

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying