About

About Oberlin College

liberal arts collegeconservatory music programprogressive activist culturesmall class sizesarts and sciences focus

Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, OH, known for its liberal arts college, conservatory music program, and progressive activist culture. With an acceptance rate of 35%, Oberlin College is selective, typically enrolling around 882 students each year. Oberlin College is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1370–1500, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Oberlin College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need; the average net price for families earning under $30,000 is $18,774.

Admissions

Oberlin College acceptance rate and admitted student profile

selective

35%
Overall Accept Rate
3.75
Typical Admitted GPA
1435
Median Admitted SAT
GPATypical admitted range: 3.50 – 3.75 unweighted

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SATSubmitted score range: 1370 – 1500 (test optional)

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ACTScore range: 31 – 34

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ED advantage at Oberlin College: ED acceptance rate is 39% vs 35% regular decision, more than double. If Oberlin Collegeis your first choice and you've confirmed the financial fit, Early Decision is one of the highest-leverage decisions you can make.

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Oberlin College

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Oberlin values students who are genuinely passionate about something specific, whether that is social justice, experimental music, or environmental activism, so use your essays to show a real intellectual or creative obsession rather than listing accomplishments. The admissions team reads for authentic voice and ideological curiosity, so be direct about what you actually care about and why Oberlin's culture fits that.
Essay Strategy
Write a Why Oberlin essay that names specific faculty, courses, or student organizations like the Experimental College or the Student Finance Committee, because vague praise of Oberlin's community will not stand out. Admissions officers here are looking for students who have done real homework on what makes Oberlin distinct from other small liberal arts schools.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Oberlin College actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Meets 100% of demonstrated need: Oberlin College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Oberlin College's sticker price of ~$82k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$82k/yr$18.8k
30k-48k~$82k/yr$15.8k
48k-75k~$82k/yr$22.1k
75k-110k~$82k/yr$29.2k
110k+~$82k/yr$48.7k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

80%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$39k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
9:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
3,333
Undergrad Enrollment
Oberlin College Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch