About Oberlin College

Founded in 1833, Oberlin College. is a Private college. Located in Ohio, which is a city setting in Ohio, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 2,895 full time undergraduate students, and 17 full time graduate students.

The Oberlin College Academic calendar runs on a Four-one-four plan basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 9:1. There are 326 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Oberlin College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate28%
Application Deadline15-Nov
Application Fee0
SAT Range1250-1450
ACT Range29-33

Admissions at are considered More Selective, with ,46% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 9 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

100% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 90% were in the top quarter, and 68% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Oberlin College.

2%
“We”re apathetic”
2%
“We know about current events and vote”
41%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
55%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
4%
“Sometimes, but not often”
36%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
59%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
18%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
74%
“I feel extremely safe”
88%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
12%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
2%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
35%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
63%
“We”re a very artistic group”
2%
“Haven”t met them”
5%
“Available in class”
47%
“They keep regular office hours”
47%
“They”re always available”
98%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
1%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
1%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
1%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
13%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
73%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
1%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
15%
“There might be people who do”
67%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
18%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
2%
“We”re apathetic”
2%
“We know about current events and vote”
41%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
55%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
4%
“Sometimes, but not often”
36%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
59%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
18%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
74%
“I feel extremely safe”
88%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
12%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
2%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
35%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
63%
“We”re a very artistic group”
2%
“Haven”t met them”
5%
“Available in class”
47%
“They keep regular office hours”
47%
“They”re always available”
98%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
1%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
1%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
1%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
13%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
73%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
1%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
15%
“There might be people who do”
67%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
18%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Oberlin College REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    86 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 10 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    60 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    87 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    86 Students rated campus facilities 3.8 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    86 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 57 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    86 Students rated school activities 4.3 stars. 53 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    88 Students rated local services 3.7 stars. 23 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    86 Students rated academics 4 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Oberlin College?

19 Students rated Oberlin College

Kash - 10/23/2022

When I first arrived, I already had a pretty good impression of the place. But from living here, studying here, and just utilizing all of the facilities the campus has to offer, I fell in love with this place. The atmosphere is great, it's the perfect kind of small college town, and studies are wonderful. There's no better place to study as an undergraduate.

Callan - 03/14/2022

Academically, the school is excellent. All the professors are experts in their field and extremely passionate about their subjects. The small class sizes are amazing and really encourage intellectual growth and discussion. I also find that the opportunities on campus are fantastic. Because there is no graduate school, there are countless research and publishing opportunities for students. I got a paid research opportunity at the campus art museum my freshman year. Faculty are extremely helpful in terms of finding opportunities and internships, and Oberlin is one of the top Fullbright producers in the country. In terms of campus life, it really is what you make of it. The dorms are run down and there are limited options when it comes to food. The real highlight is the music scene here on campus. There are around 3-7 concerts every week, ranging from full classical orchestras to hyperpop to rap, and all of them are free. Nightlife mostly revolves around these concerts, since Oberlin is not really a party school and has no greek life. There is a party scene on campus if you're looking for it, but most students prefer smaller dorm parties with their friends. There is also a huge scene for weed and psychedelics. The location does kinda suck, but the sheer number of activities and events that the college offers really does make up for it.

sharmi - 12/15/2020

no

Margaret

I would not do justice describing Oberlin as just an incredible college with wonderful teachers and students. Oberlin is a college that pushes creativity and individuality. Its community is widely diverse, and welcoming. I feel safe at my school in every aspect. Students and professors alike are proud of the fact that we are a tight-knit family, and we have each others back. I would highly recommend this school to people who are looking to finding their own voice/ sense of self in a safe and accepting community.

Oberlin College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Oberlin College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Oberlin College is 28%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. Describe the students at your school.

    weird

    Read all  114 answers
  3. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Students are militant about their political correctness.

    Read all  110 answers
  4. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    For sure!

    Read all  110 answers
  5. What are the academics like at your school?

    Couldn't be happier!

    Read all  105 answers
  6. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    What a great world we live in, blue skies, green grass, clear water. I wouldn't change a single thing!

    Read all  102 answers
  7. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Basil (Baz) Simon spinning huge fire poi for Oberlin College's Beltain Festival.

    Read all  94 answers
  8. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Visit the college. Speak to students, sit in on classes that pique your interest, and attend a concert or party to get a sense of the scene. Be honest with yourself about whether you would be excited to spend four years there. If you are debating between a few, make a check list for each one and weigh your priorities with what each school offers. Is the social environment too judgemental? Did the classes seem challenging? Do the living options suit your taste? Once you have decided and been accepted, you may be overwhelmed with the number of extracurricular activities that you can choose from. I would encourage you to be realistic. Choose a reasonable courseload that will allow you to enjoy life and excel at classes. Choose activities that supplement your interests and serve a more enriching purpose, such as an athletic outlet. Friends will come through shared experiences and activities, and you may not find best friends right away. Be up front with your roommates to avoid lingering problems, and address your professors directly with questions, concerns, or for advice on paper topics and structure. They're there to help you! Figure out how to get enough sleep.

    Read all  81 answers
  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The people at Oberlin are what make it unique. You are constantly surrounded by a diverse student body who have done things you've never heard of. Everyone is really nice, friendly, and welcoming. Also, Oberlin is a small place so you run into everyone a lot, even if you don't want to!

    Read all  74 answers
  10. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Try everything, it's all amazing.

    Read all  17 answers
  11. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    It's so far left-leaning that it cuts down on some of the political and socioeconomic diversity that would keep things more interesting and balanced.

    Read all  17 answers
  12. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Oberlin is full of people who believe that one person can change the world.

    Read all  16 answers
  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who is willing to work hard for one of the best educations money can buy. Musicians will find the conservatory perfect for anyone.

    Read all  15 answers
  14. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Oberlin has an extremely progressive history. It's known for openly challenging the status quo and taking deliberate steps to change it. It was the first American institution of higher learning to accept women and African Americans and it is now leading the country in green initiatives.

    Read all  14 answers
  15. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    People who are not interested in learning and/or stepping outside of their comfort zones.

    Read all  14 answers
  16. What's unique about your campus?

    Being able to be yourself and experience the variety of cool things that happen, because it's a combination that exists only at Oberlin.

    Read all  13 answers
  17. Tell us about the sports scene on campus.

    The start to the women's race. Joanna Johnson, already out front, is OCXC's star runner.

    Read all  11 answers
  18. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The people! The tendancy to see your professors outside of class. Exactley what about the students would be percieved by those at home as "weird" is wonderful.

    Read all  7 answers
  19. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    On a shallow level, the thing that frustrates me the most is the weather!! But that's probably because I'm from the south. On a more deep level, what frustrates me the most about Oberlin is how we're suppose to be an open/progressive school, but there are SO many judgemental people that try to stamp on other people's beliefs.

    Read all  7 answers
  20. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    This is actually one of my favorite things about Oberlin. The students at Oberlin are the individuals who do not fit a stereotype. They come from all backgrounds: in terms of place, family, culture, language, political and religious beliefs, and everything in between. People just surprise me again and again and again, and I loved being surprised by something like that. Imagine someone with so much personality it simply overflows. That is who you'll find at Oberlin. There are certainly exceptions, but in my experience they are few and far between. Here are some more specifics. Frats do not exist. Neither do jocks. The athletes at Oberlin are those athletes who have love and dedication for their sport, but are not consumed by it. Division III athletics means academics and real life come first, but athletics are still valued and challenging. I would argue there are no geeks at Oberlin either, though some might disagree. At Oberlin, everyone has wide interests and Oberlin is where everyone can pursue them all, or as many as possible with the time commitments required. In my definition of geeks, they are only interested in science or technology to the exclusion of social abilities and hygiene, but no one is so narrow-minded at Oberlin. That is the best description of students at Oberlin: Open-minded and full of heart.

    Read all  3 answers
  21. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    Alex talks about how she came to be at Oberlin, some Obie stereotypes, her favorite movie, favorite class and more.

    Read all  2 answers

Student Body

Students

57%

female

43%

male

2,895

Total Undergrad Enrollment

17

Total Grad Students

81%

Out-Of-State

7%

In-State

12%

International

Organizations

200

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

86%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
% Black or African-American
5%
% Hispanic/Latino
8%
% White or Caucasian
66%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

87% of students attending Oberlin College receive some sort of financial aid. 9% were awarded federal grants. While 35% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$52,002

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,958

Books and Supplies

$14,010

Room and Board

67,970

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$14,146
$30 - $48K
$14,731
$48 - $75K
$24,134
$75 - $110K
$28,091
$110K & UP
$42,076

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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