Overview of Oberlin College

Oberlin College is a private liberal arts institution situated 35 miles north of Cleveland, Ohio. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. Students are backed by a robust 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 2,812 (2,785 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 43 percent male/57 percent female
• 99 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $56,818
• Books: $1,908
• Room and Board: $16,826
• Other Expenses: $1,568
• Total Cost: $77,120

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 87 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 86 percent
  • Loans: 41 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $28,899
  • Loans: $6,867

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Music; Political Science and Government, Other; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Applied Economics; and Psychology

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 89 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 75 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 86 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of Oberlin College Admissions

Oberlin College has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data             

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Oberlin College had an acceptance rate of 36%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 36 students gained admission, making Oberlin’s admissions process competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 62% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Oberlin’s students score within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Oberlin scored between 650 and 740 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 650 and 25% scored over 740. 50% of students scored between 630 and 750 on the math part, while 25% scored under 630, and 25% scored over 750. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1490 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Oberlin.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 47% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Oberlin’s students score within the top 9% nationally on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Oberlin received a cumulative ACT score between 29 and 31, while 25% scored over 31, and 25% scored under 29.

GPA

In 2019, the unweighted mean high school GPA of Oberlin’s freshman class was 3.57%. This information suggests that successful applicants to Oberlin College have A grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Oberlin College, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If Oberlin College is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Texas at Dallas, Stony Brook University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Syracuse University, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Oberlin College, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Villanova University, Southern Methodist University, University of Maryland, Binghamton University, George Washington University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Oberlin College. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, you’ll be a competitive candidate.

Tufts University, Northeastern University, Georgetown University, New York University, University of Southern California, University of Michigan, Emory University

Applying to Oberlin College

Application Deadline: January 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.oberlin.edu/admissions-and-aid

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.oberlin.edu/admissions-and-aid/arts-and-sciences

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.oberlin.edu/career/go/graduate-school/choosing

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.oberlin.edu/career/go/graduate-school/applying