Oakland University ROI Analysis
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
above 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. 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 ten years after graduation. The median debt for Oakland University graduates is $22,750, and 38.9% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for Oakland University graduates is approximately 0.45 one year after graduation, based on the median debt and one-year earnings. The ratio is about 0.46 using the five-year earnings data, and approximately 0.39 using the ten-year earnings data.
Based on the provided data, the break-even point, or the time it takes for graduates to earn back their tuition costs, is less than one year. The difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost is $35,965.
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
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $120,923 | 2824% |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $42,782 | 165% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $104,665 | 2271% |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $78,709 | 1387% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $87,350 | 1681% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $50,989 | 444% |
| Psychology, General | $41,537 | 122% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $112,744 | 2545% |
| Biology, General | $40,707 | 94% |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $116,967 | 2689% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,064 | 242% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $47,030 | 309% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
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.