Oakland City University
#2 Best Business Colleges in Indiana- Graduation Rate
- 68% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,283 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $15,210 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 83% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 14.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.3 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Business Colleges in Indiana.
Every $1 spent returns $14.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $806,712.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Oakland City University Matters
Oakland City University is a private doctoral / professional university in Oakland City, IN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 499
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- 105
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Humanities, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Oakland City University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 83% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,210 a year after grants and scholarships — 11% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,283 ten years after enrolling — 6% above the typical college, against $16,758 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 98% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.45 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Oakland City University has an acceptance rate of 83%, making it an accessible choice for many students. This welcoming environment encourages a diverse student body and fosters a supportive community. With an enrollment of just 499, students can expect smaller class sizes and more personal interaction with faculty.
The data from Chetty/Opportunity Insights highlights the earnings potential for graduates. After 10 years, alumni earn an average of $43,283 annually. While specific mobility metrics are unavailable, this salary suggests that graduates can achieve a stable financial footing in their careers, especially considering the university's focus on practical fields like Business, Education, and Criminal Justice.
The net price for attending is $15,210, which is manageable when weighed against the median debt of $16,758. Students who thrive here are likely those seeking a close-knit community and a focused education in fields that lead to solid job opportunities. With 41% of students receiving Pell Grants, financial support is available for those who qualify, further easing the burden of college costs.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Oakland City University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Oakland City University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Oakland City, Indiana, Oakland City University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 19. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- ACT Midpoint
- 19
- Full-Time Faculty
- 37%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,073
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- First-Gen Students
- 44%
- Applicants
- 883
- Admitted
- 492
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Oakland City University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Oakland City University is $27,900, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,210. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,980 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $16,758 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $27,900
- Out-of-State
- $27,900
- Avg Net Price
- $15,210
- Median Debt
- $16,758
- Pell Grant Rate
- 41%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,980
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,781
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,637
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,550
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Oakland City University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Oakland City University report median earnings of $43,283, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,190
- 8 Years
- $46,203
- 10 Years
- $43,283
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 54%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (10)
- 16%
- 100% (10)
- 16%
- 100% (10)
- 16%
- 100% (10)
- 16%
How Oakland Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Oakland City University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Oakland City University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,210/year ($60,840 total). Graduates earn $43,283 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $867,552 in total earnings — a net gain of $806,712 (14.3× your investment). The median debt is $16,758, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 68% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $60,840
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $867,552
- Net Return
- $806,712
- ROI Multiple
- 14.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,210
- Median Debt
- $16,758
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Oakland City University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Oakland City University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.33%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 2.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $60,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.33%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 2.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $60,300
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,454,598
- Investment Income
- $515,422
Top Programs
The fields Oakland City University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 40%
- Education 24%
- Humanities 10%
- Biology & Biomedical 7%
- Criminal Justice 6%
- Psychology 2%
- English & Literature 1%
- Communications 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Oakland City University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Oakland City University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Oakland City, Indiana, Oakland City University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 19. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Oakland City University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Oakland City University is $27,900, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,210. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,980 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $16,758 in federal student loans.
Is Oakland City University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Oakland City University report median earnings of $43,283, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Oakland City University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Oakland City University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.33%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 2.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $60,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Oakland City University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Oakland City University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.07), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Oakland City University.
- Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological SeminaryAnkeny, IA · Close peer64% grad $40,650 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Blue Mountain Christian UniversityBlue Mountain, MS · Close peer53% grad $40,421 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Life Pacific UniversitySan Dimas, CA · Close peer48% grad $43,299 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Martin Luther CollegeNew Ulm, MN · Close peer71% grad $47,491 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Holy CrossNew Orleans, LA · Close peer42% grad $49,316 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Salem CollegeWinston-Salem, NC · Close peer57% grad $44,640 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Oakland City University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Oakland City University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.07), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note