Oakland University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$58,776
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$14,017/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
377%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Oakland University's in-state tuition costs $14,694 per year. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $50,659. Five years after graduation, earnings decrease slightly to $49,017, but increase to $58,612 after ten years. The median debt for graduates is $22,750, and 38.9% of students receive financial aid.
Given the median debt and one-year earnings, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.45. This is calculated by dividing the debt by the first year's earnings.
Based on the provided data, the break-even point, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the cost of tuition, is less than one year. This is because the first year's earnings are significantly higher than the annual tuition cost.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$14,694
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,750
Median Earnings (5yr)
$49,017
Graduation Rate
57%
Receive Financial Aid
39%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $58,776 | $68,205 | 1030% |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | $58,776 | $42,782 | 165% |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | $58,776 | $60,527 | 769% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $58,776 | $89,376 | 1750% |
| Psychology, General. | $58,776 | $41,537 | 122% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $58,776 | $87,350 | 1681% |
| Biology, General. | $58,776 | $40,707 | 94% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $58,776 | $45,064 | 242% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $58,776 | $47,030 | 309% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $58,776 | $40,787 | 97% |
| Medicine. | $58,776 | $104,788 | 2275% |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $58,776 | $91,496 | 1822% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.