Oakland University admits approximately 70.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places Oakland University in the Moderately Selective category, indicating that while admission is accessible, the institution maintains academic standards for enrollment. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows Oakland University is somewhat more selective than typical institutions with similar characteristics, though still considerably more accessible than highly competitive universities. This selectivity level means most academically prepared students have strong admission prospects, particularly those with test scores and grades that align with the institution's enrolled student profile. Students should approach Oakland University as a realistic option rather than a reach school, making it an excellent foundation for balanced college application lists. The combination of reasonable selectivity with strong post-graduation outcomes makes Oakland University particularly valuable for students seeking quality education without the uncertainty associated with highly competitive admission processes. For students building comprehensive college lists, Oakland University represents solid middle ground between open-admission institutions and highly selective universities, offering meaningful academic rigor with manageable admission requirements.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Oakland University's enrolled students demonstrate strong academic preparation, with SAT scores typically ranging from 995 to 1185, representing the middle 50% of the enrolled class. The SAT midpoint of 1110 reflects solid academic performance, with math scores ranging from 475 to 565 and verbal scores from 520 to 620. ACT scores center around 25, indicating consistent academic preparation across standardized testing formats. These ranges mean that students scoring below 995 on the SAT face more competitive admission prospects but are not automatically excluded from consideration. Students whose test scores fall within the 995-1185 range are academically competitive for admission and should expect favorable admission outcomes. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1198, Oakland University enrolls students with slightly lower test scores, though performance still ranks at the 90.0th percentile nationally, indicating top-tier academic standards despite accessible admission. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college application lists. The institution's emphasis on holistic evaluation means test scores represent one component of admission decisions rather than sole determining factors. Prospective applicants should view these ranges as guidelines rather than rigid requirements, particularly given the institution's commitment to serving diverse student populations including first-generation and transfer students.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Oakland University enrolls a diverse student body reflecting broad accessibility combined with academic preparation. The institution serves 29.8% Pell-eligible students, indicating substantial enrollment of students from lower-income families, alongside 32.4% first-generation college students. Transfer students comprise 39.0% of enrollment, demonstrating Oakland University's commitment to serving students from community colleges and other institutions seeking degree completion opportunities. This composition suggests the university prioritizes educational access while maintaining academic standards, creating pathways for students from varied educational and economic backgrounds. The substantial transfer population indicates strong articulation agreements and transfer-friendly policies that support degree completion for non-traditional pathways. Geographic diversity reflects primarily regional enrollment patterns typical of public institutions, though the university attracts students from across Michigan and neighboring states. Prospective first-generation students should find encouragement in the 32.4% enrollment share, indicating substantial institutional experience supporting students navigating college as the first in their families. Students from lower-income backgrounds can take confidence in the meaningful Pell-eligible population, suggesting Oakland University maintains affordability and support systems for diverse economic circumstances. The high transfer share signals welcoming policies for students changing institutions or completing degrees after community college attendance.
Given Oakland University's 70.2% acceptance rate, most academically prepared students can expect favorable admission outcomes, making this institution a realistic rather than reach option for typical applicants.
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Oakland University students demonstrate solid persistence and completion outcomes, with 75.2% of freshmen returning for sophomore year, indicating reasonable satisfaction and academic preparation for university-level coursework. The six-year graduation rate of 56.9% reflects completion outcomes typical for public institutions serving diverse student populations, including substantial numbers of first-generation and transfer students. Notably, Pell-eligible students graduate at 53.3%, representing a 3.6 percentage point gap below the overall completion rate. This gap indicates some challenges for lower-income students but remains within typical ranges for public institutions. Students who gain admission to Oakland University can expect institutional support systems designed to promote degree completion, though success requires active engagement with academic and support resources. The retention rate of 75.2% compares to a peer median of 83.7%, suggesting room for improvement in first-year student experience, though completion outcomes align more closely with peer performance. Prospective students should view these completion rates as indicators of the academic environment and support systems they'll experience. Lower-income students should consider the modest Pell completion gap when evaluating institutional fit, recognizing that while outcomes remain positive, additional effort may be required to navigate academic and financial challenges. Students transferring from community colleges or other institutions can take encouragement from the substantial transfer population and completion outcomes that demonstrate successful degree completion pathways.
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