More selective than 22% of Michigan colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
1% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 0% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose OU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What OU weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as OU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- High school GPA
- Rigor of high school courses
- SAT/ACT scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Class rank
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2024-25 (fall 2024 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of OU first-year students
Share of fall 2024 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.48. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2024-25 (fall 2024 first-year students), published by the college.
OU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, OU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 540 | 640 |
| SAT math | 490 | 590 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1030 | 1230 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
OU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 88% | 540–640 | 490–590 | — | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 70% | 520–620 | 475–565 | — | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is OU compared with other Michigan colleges?
OU has the 33rd-lowest acceptance rate of 42 Michigan colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | The University of Olivet | 83% | 35% | $21,393 |
| 30 | Northern Michigan University | 84% | 52% | $14,085 |
| 31 | Western Michigan University | 85% | 58% | $15,273 |
| 32 | Michigan State University | 85% | 81% | $19,680 |
| 33 | Oakland University | 88% | 58% | $9,120 |
| 34 | Central Michigan University | 90% | 59% | $17,597 |
| 35 | Aquinas College | 90% | 65% | $16,626 |
| 36 | Ferris State University | 91% | 47% | $8,624 |
| 37 | College for Creative Studies | 92% | 71% | $34,617 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Michigan colleges →
Who enrolls at OU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
OU admissions questions
What is the OU acceptance rate?
Oakland University accepts 88% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 8,708 of 12,398 applicants were admitted.
Does OU require the SAT or ACT?
Oakland University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 1% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 0% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for OU?
The middle 50% of Oakland University enrolled first-year students scored 1030–1230 on the SAT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at OU?
26% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,236 of 8,708).
What does OU look for in applicants?
Oakland University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA. Important: rigor of high school courses. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, essay, recommendations. (Common Data Set 2024-25).
Is OU getting harder to get into?
Oakland University accepted 88% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 70% for Fall 2023.
Is OU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; OU's Common Data Set 2024-25; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Oakland University overview