Business Administration, Management and Operations at Oakland University

Oakland University's business program punches well above the typical state school outcome, placing graduates in the 95th percentile nationally with first-year earnings of $62,359—36% higher than the national median for business programs. Within Michigan, it sits firmly in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing only the state's flagship programs at Michigan State and U-M Ann Arbor while outperforming many private competitors. The $26,000 debt load is exactly average for business programs nationwide, making the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 quite manageable.

The earnings trajectory looks particularly strong, with graduates seeing 30% income growth by year four to reach $81,070. That puts Oakland's mid-career outcomes closer to Michigan State's starting salaries than to typical mid-tier state programs. For families weighing Oakland's accessible 70% admission rate and lower sticker price against more selective options, these numbers suggest the program delivers exceptional value—you're getting top-tier results without the debt premium that often comes with flagship programs.

The moderate sample size means these figures are based on a solid cohort rather than a handful of outliers. For Michigan families prioritizing strong employment outcomes in business without breaking the bank, Oakland represents one of the state's better investments.