Oakland vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

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

Oakland University is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oakland University 17:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

Oakland vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakland or W&J? 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 W&J ($12,208 vs. $22,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 25.7% lower than at Washington & Jefferson College ($10,932 vs. $14,710).
• Washington & Jefferson College is 92.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $14,130 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.8% higher at W&J than at Oakland University (about $6,204 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at Oakland University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 55.2% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($20,152 vs. $12,988).

Oakland vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakland or W&J? 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 W&J and Oakland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is the same as at W&J (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oakland University 1030/1230; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWashington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oakland - Test optional; W&J - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than W&J (80.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Oakland vs. 12.6% at W&J.

Oakland vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakland and W&J? 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).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than W&J graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oakland graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than W&J graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.