Oberlin College

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67.1
College Consensus
AVERAGE: 69
53.6
Publisher Consensus
AVERAGE: 58.7
80.6
Student Consensus
AVERAGE: 76.9
Publisher Ratings
80.5
U.S. News - National Liberal Arts Colleges
66.8
Wallethub
57
Washington Monthly Liberal Arts
10.1
Forbes
Student Reviews
98.8
U.S. News - Reviews
77.2
Grad Reports
76.8
Unigo
76.4
My Plan
73.9
Niche
Scores last updated on January 6, 2024
35%
Percent Admitted
77%
4-year Graduation Rate
2,992
Enrollment
9.0:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
$35,509
Average Undergraduate Students Aid
$62,024
In-State Tuition and Fees
$62,024
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
= Average
Sector
Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Religious Affiliation
Not applicable

Located in Oberlin, Ohio, just 35 miles southwest of Cleveland, is Oberlin College, a private liberal arts college and a conservatory of music. Established in 1833, Oberlin was the first institution of higher education in the United States to adopt a policy to admit African American students in 1835 and in 1841 became the first college in the nation to award bachelor degrees to women in a coeducational program. A member of the Great Lakes Association and the Five Colleges of Ohio consortium, more Oberlin graduates have gone on to earn their PhD’s than graduates of any other baccalaureate college in the nation, since 1920.

Academic Programs

Oberlin’s College of the Arts & Sciences awards Bachelor of Arts degrees and a five-year Double Degree program, BM/BA, is offered through both the Conservatory and the College. Oberlin’s Conservatory offers approximately eight undergraduate majors in more than 20 areas, while the College of Arts & Sciences offers nearly 50 academic majors with over 40 minors and concentrations. Many of Oberlin College’s departments are interdisciplinary, encouraging collaboration and allowing students to expand their disciplinary boundaries. Oberlin is made up of more than 35 departments, including Africana Studies; Archaeological Studies; Chemistry/Biochemistry; Classics; Comparative Literature; Computer Science; East Asian Studies; Environmental Studies Program; Jewish Studies; Law and Society; Musical Studies; Psychology; and Theater. Additional professional programs include Pre-Law, Premed, Business Careers, and 3-2 Engineering.

Oberlin’s facilities are unsurpassed by any school its size, with its Libraries, Museums and Galleries, Performance Spaces, Research, Computing, and Technology Centers. The school’s environmental studies building features solar panels and green energy-saving features and Oberlin’s Science Center has 64-node supercomputer – the first installed at any four-year, liberal arts colleges in the US. The Conservatory of Music features exceptional facilities, including eight performance spaces and over 150 practice rooms, almost all with windows.

Student Life

Nearly 3,000 students are enrolled at Oberlin College, with a student population that is approximately 54% female, 46% male, and nearly 85% of students coming from out of state. Oberlin’s campus is made up of a dynamic and interactive community that features nearly 150 student-led organizations and a thriving cultural arts community. More than 500 concerts and recitals, forty theater and dance productions, and two Opera Theater productions are put on each year. An NCAA Division III school, Oberlin is also part of the North coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) and sponsors over twenty varsity sports.

Oberlin provides students with a traditional college and living experience which is designed to bring students from many interests and majors together. Several residential halls dot the campus, each with its own culture and amenities. Several dining co-ops exist on campus, half of which are connected to the residential housing co-ops. Village Housing, made up of college-owned houses and apartments are also available for fourth-year students. This popular housing option includes small domestic-style houses as well as several styles of apartments.

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.