Oakland vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

Compare Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI with Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakland University is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting); Chatham University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oakland University 17:1; Chatham University 10:1.

Oakland vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakland or Chatham? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Oakland University than Chatham ($12,208 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 19.6% lower than at Chatham University ($10,932 vs. $13,600).
• Chatham University is 192.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $29,364 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.5% higher at Chatham than at Oakland University (about $21,438 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Oakland University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 131.7% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($30,095 vs. $12,988).

Oakland vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakland or Chatham? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Chatham and Oakland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 50 points higher than at Oakland (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oakland University 1030/1230; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsChatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oakland - Test optional; Chatham - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Oakland vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

Oakland vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakland and Chatham? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Oakland University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Oakland graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakland graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More Chatham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.