Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 57.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 56.9%
- Retention Rate
- 75.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $58,612
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,750
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 52.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $241/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $104,510 | $44,928 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $103,078 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $103,078 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $96,829 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $89,412 | $25,785 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $80,858 | $37,444 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $80,391 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $78,488 | $25,971 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,962 | $21,500 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $25,783 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $71,015 | $93,047 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $68,305 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $64,087 | $23,015 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $63,600 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,481 | $20,641 |
Outcomes Overview
Oakland University graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $22,750, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 against their $58,612 median salary after ten years. Monthly loan payments of $241 consume just 5% of typical graduate income. The university's massive nursing program feeds Michigan's healthcare system, where registered nurses start around $65,000 annually. Employment rates hit 96%, reflecting strong regional job placement. Engineering and business graduates also find steady work in Detroit's automotive sector. With relatively low debt burdens and solid earning potential, especially for nursing and STEM majors, Oakland delivers an average return on investment that improves for in-state students paying reduced tuition.