Oakland University is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Oakland University (OU) is 100%. This means that all applicants are admitted.
How Competitive are Oakland University Admissions?
- Not Competitive: Applicants with satisfactory academics can easily secure admission.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

However, a 100% acceptance rate or open admission policy does not guarantee admission. Every institution has minimum eligibility criteria. If you meet these conditions, then you can be certain of admission. Additionally, to secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies.
Oakland University Admission Requirements
OU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at OU is 3.51. OU is highly selective.
Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
If your GPA is between 3.21 and 3.51, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.11 GPA to secure admission.
Can I Get Into OU Without SAT Or ACT?: Oakland University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
Oakland University (OU) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
Oakland University Average SAT Score: 1140
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Oakland University is 1140 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Oakland University SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1140 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1245 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Oakland University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1015, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to OU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
Oakland University SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
SAT Math | 553 | 500 | 605 |
SAT Reading | 578 | 515 | 640 |
SAT Composite | 1140 | 1015 | 1245 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1015 then you are below most of the admitted students at OU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1245 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Oakland University (OU) with a 1250 SAT?
With a 1250 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Oakland University (OU) are good but the admission staff at OU tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
OU Profile
Name: Oakland University (OU)
City: Rochester Hills
URL: www.oakland.edu/
State: Michigan
Type: Public
Zip: 48309-4401
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
How much does a degree from OU Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Oakland University is USD: 23669. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Oakland University is USD: 12614
How can I get a scholarship?
30.22% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 39.15 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to OU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Oakland University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist OU as your choice in the form.
How much a OU Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the OU graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 58612. An average OU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Oakland University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Oakland University, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
Spring Hill College | Spring Hill College, AL | 1094 | 22 |
Tuskegee University | Tuskegee University, AL | 1091 | 21 |
Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
Arkansas Tech University | Arkansas Tech University, AR | 1090 | 21 |
University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
William Jessup University | William Jessup University, CA | 1130 | NA |
Southern California Institute of Architecture | Southern California Institute of Architecture, CA | 1100 | NA |
University of Northern Colorado | University of Northern Colorado, CO | 1106 | 24 |

Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Oakland University. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Oakland University, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Azusa Pacific University | Azusa Pacific University, CA | 1132 | 25 |
William Jessup University | William Jessup University, CA | 1130 | NA |
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, CO | 1150 | 24 |
Fort Lewis College | Fort Lewis College, CO | 1147 | 22 |
Regis University | Regis University, CO | 1149 | 24 |

More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Oakland University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham-Southern College, AL | 1218 | 26 |
University of Mobile | University of Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
Harding University | Harding University, AR | 1182 | 24 |
John Brown University | John Brown University, AR | 1218 | 26 |
Ouachita Baptist University | Ouachita Baptist University, AR | 1180 | 25 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Anthropology
- Area Studies
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biological/Biosystems Engineering
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Business/Commerce, General
- Business/Managerial Economics
Full list of All degree programs offered by Oakland University.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.