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Oberlin College

Private

Oberlin, OH

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Oberlin College, in Oberlin, OH, is a private small school, enrolling around 2,887 students. Oberlin College is selective, with an acceptance rate near 34%. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services graduates, especially in Computer and Information Sciences, General, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $129,395/year. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate34%
SAT range1360–1520
ACT range31–34
Undergrads2,887
Yield (admits who enroll)23%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$87,404
4-year grad rate80%
Median earnings, 10yr out$58,343

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against Oberlin College's numbers?

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How Oberlin College weighs your application

From Oberlin College's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayImportant
RecommendationsImportant
Nonacademic factors
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesImportant
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceNot considered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans31%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out82%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Area Studies$55,151/yr
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$44,095/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences, General$129,395/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$49,906/yr
History
History$60,895/yr
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$46,580/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$48,109/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$87,120/yr
Political Science and Government$70,689/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Fine and Studio Arts$44,299/yr
Music$43,343/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity2,694
Typical room charge$9,124
Typical board charge$9,266

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Oberlin College look for in applicants?

Per Oberlin College's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Oberlin College's acceptance rate?

Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH admits approximately 34% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Oberlin College?

Admitted students at Oberlin College typically score between 1360–1520 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Oberlin College?

Admitted students at Oberlin College typically score between 31–34 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Oberlin College cost?

Oberlin College's total cost of attendance is reported at $87,404 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Oberlin College?

Oberlin College's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Oberlin College require students to live on campus?

No -- Oberlin College doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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