Oakland University is celebrating strong enrollment momentum this fall, according to official university data. For fall 2025, total enrollment reached 15,979 students, a 1.3% increase over last year. Total student credit hours also rose by 1.6%, as students are enrolling in more classes on average.

Importantly, this marks the first increase in total enrollment and credit hours since 2019, signaling a positive turnaround from the years following the pandemic.

OU welcomed 2,330 first-time-in-any-college (FTIAC) students, marking the largest freshman class since 2019, and enrolled 1,368 new transfer students, solidifying its position as one of the top transfer destinations among Michigan’s public universities.

Growth in New Students

• 2,330 first-time freshmen (FTIACs), up 2.7% from fall 2024.
• 1,368 new transfers, confirming OU’s role as one of Michigan’s top transfer destinations.
• 664 new FTIACs joined the Honors College, one of the largest groups in OU history.
• 40% of new students are first-generation.
• 30% of the freshman class identify as underrepresented minority students — the most diverse on record .
• The incoming first-year (new freshman) class represents students from 46 Michigan counties, 23 states, and 16 countries.

“This fall’s enrollment results highlight both our momentum and our mission,” said Dawn Aubry, vice president for enrollment management at Oakland University. “Oakland is growing in both headcount and credit hours, with graduate and professional programs expanding alongside undergraduate enrollment. We are especially proud to have achieved freshman enrollment growth for four consecutive years, culminating in the largest incoming freshman class since 2019 — one of the most academically talented and diverse in OU’s history.”

At the same time, OU remains deeply committed to affordability through initiatives like the Golden Guarantee, the OU Housing Grant for incoming freshmen, and the OU Transfer Grant, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to student success.

Navigating Demographic and Policy Shifts

At a time when the overall number of high school graduates in Michigan is declining and the introduction of free community college is reshaping student choices, Oakland University is navigating these challenges while posting enrollment gains. The turnaround in overall enrollment, coupled with the growth of both freshman and transfer classes, reflects OU’s ability to adapt, attract and serve students across diverse backgrounds and pathways. 

Commitment to Affordability

OU’s affordability programs are making a measurable difference for students and families:

• 50% of new freshmen received a Pell award, and 32% are both Pell recipients and first-generation students.
• 51% of new freshmen have their tuition fully covered, while 24% have both tuition and housing completely covered through a combination of state and OU aid.
• 38% of new transfer students received a Pell award, and 23% are both Pell recipients and first-generation students.

OU supports affordability through a comprehensive package of programs, including the Golden Guarantee, which provides full tuition for eligible incoming first-year Michigan residents; the OU Housing Grant, which offers up to $20,000 over four years for qualifying freshmen living on campus; and the OU Transfer Grant, which provides $4,000 over two years for eligible transfer students. These initiatives underscore OU’s commitment to ensuring that cost is not a barrier to earning a degree, whether students begin as first-time freshmen or transfers.

“This year’s incoming class reflects the growing strength of Oakland’s reputation across Michigan and beyond,” said Shane Lewis, director of undergraduate admissions. “New undergraduate students, made up of freshman and transfer students, are joining OU from 51 Michigan counties, as well as from 31 states and 19 countries. Combined with one of our largest groups of Honors College students and Oakland’s position as one of Michigan’s top transfer destinations, this class shows that OU is a university of choice for both new freshmen and transfer students alike.”

Graduate & Professional Enrollment

While the university’s largest growth came at the undergraduate level, graduate and professional programs also saw steady increases. Graduate enrollment rose slightly to 2,698 students, including 863 new graduate students. The Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine grew to 511 students, up from 501 last year. These smaller but meaningful gains complement the broader undergraduate momentum and reflect the continuing strength of OU’s advanced programs.

Looking Ahead

As OU advances its Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) 2.0 plan, the university remains focused on enhancing student experience, strengthening support for first-generation students and aligning academic programs with workforce needs.