Exploring Enrollment: Oakland University's Student Population

how many students does oakland university have

Oakland University, a public research university in Auburn Hills, Michigan, has experienced growth in its student population in recent years. The university, founded in 1957, has a current total enrollment of over 16,000 students, including undergraduates, graduates, and medical students. With a focus on fostering diversity and student success, OU has seen a steady increase in new undergraduate enrollment, particularly among first-time freshmen and transfer students, making it one of the largest student communities in the region.

Characteristics Values
Year of Founding 1957
Location Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan, US
Campus Size 1,443 acres
Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2023) 12,719
Total Enrollment (Fall 2022) 16,108
Total Enrollment (Fall 2024) 15,768
Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2024) 12,587
Graduate Enrollment (Fall 2024) 2,680
Medical Students (Fall 2024) 501
First-Time Freshmen (Fall 2024) 2,268
Transfer Students (Fall 2024) 1,369
FY2025 Budget $304.8 million
OU Endowments (as of June 2024) $151.7 million
Number of Bachelor's Degree Programs 132
Number of Professional Graduate Certificate, Master's Degree, and Doctoral Degree Programs 138

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Oakland University's undergraduate enrollment in 2023

Oakland University, a public doctoral institution, was founded in 1957. It has since flourished and impacted tens of thousands of students. The university offers high-quality bachelor's and master's degree programs.

For the fall semester of 2023, Oakland University had a total undergraduate enrolment of 12,719 students. The university's campus size is 1,444 acres, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.

Oakland University's business school is one of only 193 business schools out of 16,000 worldwide to earn AACSB international accreditation for both its business and accounting programs. This is a testament to the quality of the education provided by the institution.

The university has an impressive athletic record, having won the James J. McCafferty Trophy seven times. This trophy is awarded to the Horizon League's all-sport champion. In addition, 39 Horizon League All-Academic or Honorable Mention student-athletes were recognized in 2023-24, representing 14 different sports.

Oakland University's roots can be traced back to the generosity of Alfred Wilson and Matilda Dodge Wilson. In 1957, they donated their historic estate and $2 million to Michigan State University, establishing a satellite school named Michigan State University-Oakland.

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OU's 2024 enrollment numbers

Oakland University (OU) has experienced three consecutive years of new undergraduate enrollment growth. As of Fall 2024, OU welcomed a total of 15,768 students, comprising 12,587 undergraduates, 2,680 graduate students, and 501 medical students. This represents a 0.9% increase in total new undergraduate students compared to the previous year, with a notable rise in first-time freshmen and transfer students.

While graduate enrollment saw a 6.2% decline in new graduate students, there was a positive 1% increase in returning graduate students, indicating improved retention of advanced degree-seekers. Despite FAFSA processing delays affecting many institutions, OU's controlled new undergraduate student growth demonstrates its appeal to prospective students and their families.

OU's total enrollment in 2024 surpasses previous years, building upon its strong foundation. Founded in 1957 through the generosity of Matilda Dodge Wilson and her husband, Alfred Wilson, OU has flourished. With a current campus size of 1,443-1,444 acres, OU offers a wide range of academic programs and extracurricular opportunities, impacting tens of thousands of students.

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Total enrollment in 2022

Oakland University, a public research university in Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan, was founded in 1957 through a donation by Matilda Dodge Wilson and her husband, Alfred G. Wilson. The couple donated their 1,443-acre estate, which included Meadow Brook Hall, Sunset Terrace, and all other buildings and collections, along with $2 million to Michigan State University to establish a satellite school. Known initially as Michigan State University-Oakland, it gained independence from the Michigan State University Board of Trustees in 1970 and was renamed Oakland University.

The university offers 132 bachelor's degree programs and 138 professional graduate certificate, master's degree, and doctoral degree programs, including those offered by the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. It had a total enrollment of more than 16,108 students in the fall of 2022, comprising undergraduate, graduate, and medical students. Oakland University has been showing a positive trend in new undergraduate enrollment growth since 2021, with a particular increase in first-time freshmen and transfer students.

In 2024, Oakland University surpassed its new undergraduate enrollment goals for the third consecutive year, enrolling 2,268 first-time freshmen and 1,369 transfer students. This represented a 0.9% increase in total new undergraduate students and a 1.7% increase in new undergraduate credit hours compared to the previous year, resulting in the largest incoming freshman class since 2019. The university's commitment to affordability, social mobility, and student success has been cited as a contributing factor in attracting a more significant number of first-generation and underrepresented minority students.

Oakland University's total enrollment in the fall of 2024 was 15,768 students, including 12,587 undergraduates, 2,680 graduate students, and 501 medical students. While new graduate student enrollment saw a 6.2% decline, returning graduate student enrollment increased by 1%, indicating improved retention of advanced degree-seeking students. The university's overall progress is further demonstrated by a 1% increase in total credit hours.

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OU's growth in new students

Oakland University (OU) is a public research university in Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan. It was founded in 1957 through a donation by Matilda Dodge Wilson and her husband, Alfred G. Wilson, of their 1,443-acre estate and $2 million to Michigan State University. The total campus size is 1,444 acres.

OU has seen impressive growth in new students in recent years. In Fall 2024, OU welcomed a total of 15,768 students, including 12,587 undergraduates, 2,680 graduate students, and 501 medical students. This represented a 0.9% increase in total new undergraduate students from the previous year, marking the largest incoming freshman class since Fall 2019. Notably, 39% of the incoming first-year class and 35% of the incoming transfer class were first-generation students, reflecting OU's commitment to supporting students who are the first in their families to pursue a college education.

Another factor contributing to OU's growth in new students is its commitment to affordability, social mobility, and student success. OU offers competitive tuition rates, with in-state tuition and fees at $15,262 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $23,188 for the 2025 academic year. This, coupled with its unwavering dedication to student success, has made OU an attractive option for prospective students and their families.

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Oakland University's founding and history

Oakland University (OU) is a public research university located in Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan. It was founded in 1957 through a donation by Matilda Dodge Wilson and her second husband, Alfred Wilson, who donated their 1,443-acre estate (including Meadow Brook Hall, Sunset Terrace, and other buildings and collections) and $2 million to Michigan State University. The university was originally known as Michigan State University–Oakland and enrolled its first students in 1959. It gained institutional independence from Michigan State in 1970 and was renamed Oakland University in 1963. OU has since flourished, impacting tens of thousands of students.

OU is one of eight research universities in Michigan and is classified as an "R2: Doctoral University" with high research activity. The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including 132 bachelor's degree programs and 138 professional graduate certificate, master's degree, and doctoral degree programs. The Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine is also a notable part of the university, offering various degree programs.

The university has seen steady growth and progress in recent years, with a particular focus on enhancing student success and providing a robust academic experience. OU surpassed its new undergraduate enrollment goals for the third consecutive year in 2024, enrolling 2,268 first-time freshmen and 1,369 transfer students. This marked the largest incoming freshman class since Fall 2019 and the most diverse incoming first-year class in the university's history. The total enrollment for Fall 2024 was 15,768 students, including undergraduates, graduate students, and medical students.

The OU campus spans 1,443 acres and includes the Main Campus, Meadow Brook Estate, and two nationally ranked golf courses. Meadow Brook Hall, a U.S. National Historic Landmark, is the fourth-largest historic house museum in the United States and is frequently used for university functions. The university's athletic teams were renamed the Golden Grizzlies in 1998, and OU's sports programs have achieved notable successes, including in men's soccer and basketball.

Frequently asked questions

As of Fall 2022, Oakland University had a total enrollment of more than 16,108 students.

Oakland University has seen growth in new undergraduate students. In Fall 2024, the university welcomed 12,587 undergraduates, 2,680 graduate students, and 501 medical students, totalling 15,768 students. This was an increase from Fall 2023, when the university had a total undergraduate enrollment of 12,719 students.

Although many of Oakland's students commute from surrounding areas, there are more than 3,000 who live on campus in residence halls or student apartments.

Oakland University aims to enhance student success and provide a robust academic experience by fostering diversity and belonging, improving student retention, and building strategic partnerships.

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