Overview
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From Oberlin
Ranked among the nation’s top liberal arts institutions, Oberlin College and Conservatory is known for its exemplary academic and musical pedagogy and its commitment to social justice, sustainability, and creative entrepreneurship.
Located in Oberlin, Ohio, about 35 minutes from Cleveland, Oberlin offers one of the world’s great undergraduate educations, with a long tradition of educating top scholars and musicians. Founded in 1833, it holds a distinguished place among American colleges and universities as the first to grant bachelor’s degrees to women in a coeducational program and the first to adopt a policy to admit African Americans.
Oberlin’s 2900 students pursue multiple passions and interests within a supportive, collaborative community. The College of Arts and Sciences focuses on undergraduate teaching, hands-on research, culturally immersive study away experiences, and world-class music opportunities. The innovative Conservatory of Music, a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, was founded in 1865 making it the oldest continuously operating conservatory in the United States. In the last century, Oberlin alumni have gone on to earn more PhDs than graduates of any other liberal arts institution. In nearly every career field, Oberlin graduates are making an impact and improving our world.
Events & Resources
Oberlin's $10K Commitment Scholarship
Oberlin will award a renewable $10,000 Oberlin Commitment Scholarship to all new students who enroll in the College of Arts & Sciences and/or the Conservatory of Music.
Oberlin's $25K Midwest Merit Scholarship
The Midwest Merit Scholarship recognizes the academic and musical excellence of top students from our region by granting $100,000 over four years to all admitted students from Oberlin’s home state of Ohio as well as 11 additional Midwestern states.
Liberal Arts
Town
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Affordability Overview
From Oberlin
At Oberlin College and Conservatory, our financial aid policies reflect a historic commitment to inclusion and academic excellence. Oberlin’s financial aid packages meet 100 percent of demonstrated need for every admitted student, and generous merit aid is also available. Oberlin commits $100M per year to financial aid, and 100% of our students receive either need-based aid, merit aid, or both.
Scholarships Overview
From Oberlin
Oberlin meets 100% of demonstrated financial need through a combination of need-based aid and generous merit scholarships. We review all admitted students for merit scholarships automatically; no separate application is required.
$89,414
$55,752
$33,662
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$89,414The sticker price at Oberlin is $89,414. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Oberlin would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Oberlin College Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Oberlin you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Oberlin is 003086 and the CSS Profile Code is 1587.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at Oberlin
If you're an Ohio resident considering Oberlin, be sure to look into state grants like the Ohio College Opportunity Grant and Choose Ohio First. The Ohio College Opportunity Grant is a need-based grant for students with high demonstrated financial need. You can use it at both private and public schools, and the award varies based on need and academic program. The Ohio College Opportunity Grant is available to Ohio students pursuing a STEM degree in-state.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Ohio scholarshipsOberlin College QuestBridge Scholarships
Oberlin is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Oberlin College through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
National Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Oberlin College? Oberlin offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Oberlin's website for more information!
Pell Grants at Oberlin College
13% of students at Oberlin College receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Oberlin. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
How do outside scholarships affect your financial aid package at Oberlin?
In most cases, receipt of merit-based scholarships from non-Oberlin sources will not affect the amount of grant and scholarship assistance that a student receives from Oberlin College.
Please see this page for additional information: https://www.oberlin.edu/financial-aid/outside-scholarship
Oberlin College Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Oberlin, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.oberlin.edu/financial-aid
- Email: financial.aid@oberlin.edu
- Phone: 800-693-3173
Admissions
Admissions Overview
From Oberlin
The Oberlin College of Arts & Sciences looks for students who have demonstrated high academic achievement, who care about the world, who believe they can make it a better place, and who have the courage to try. And while Oberlin is highly selective, the student body is down-to-earth and noncompetitive.
The Oberlin Conservatory of Music seeks students who are dedicated to music, devoted to growth and challenge, and eager to join a close-knit, thriving performance community. If you can picture yourself on our stages and beyond, we encourage you to apply.
34%
33
1445
Coalition Colleges
Oberlin is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Oberlin via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Is Oberlin test-optional?
Oberlin College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
What is the application deadline at Oberlin?
Early Action
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
9:1
Graduation Rate
83%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Visual & Performing Arts
28%
28% of graduates
Social Sciences
14%
14% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
10%
10% of graduates
Psychology
8%
8% of graduates
English Language & Literature
6%
6% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
6%
6% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
5%
5% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Physical Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
4%
4% of graduates
History
3%
3% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Mathematics
2%
2% of graduates
Legal Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,986
Pell Grant 13%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 41% / 59%
Ethnic Diversity at Oberlin
61% White
10% International / Non-Citizen
10% Multiracial
8% Hispanic
5% Asian / Pacific Islander
5% Black
1% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Student Outcomes Overview
From Oberlin
Oberlin alumni use their Oberlin educations to give the world more joy, hope, meaning, and justice—serving collectively as a global force for good. In every field, on every stage, Obies help people find the way forward.
Oberlin graduates pursue a wide array of professional paths and can be found innovating in every field. Employers range from Google to NPR to Goldman Sachs.
For the last century, Oberlin alumni have gone on to earn more PhDs than the graduates of any other baccalaureate institution, and our medical and law school placements are equally excellent.
Oberlin alumni represent a full one percent of the National Academy of Sciences’ membership, almost unimaginable for a small liberal arts college, and a testament to the creativity that our scientists develop here.
Oberlin graduates have garnered a range of prestigious awards, including 265 Fulbrights and dozens of National Science Graduate Research fellowships, as well as Goldwater, Watson, Truman, Udall, Beinecke, Gates Cambridge, Rhodes, Marshall, and Luce honors, among others.
Our alumni include 14 MacArthur “Genius” Fellows, 4 Nobel Laureates, 9 Pulitzer Prize recipients, and countless Grammy Award winners.
Graduate Income
$58,343
Median Debt $26,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $276
Graduation Rate 83%
What is the graduation rate at Oberlin College?
83% of students who start at Oberlin College finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 25% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Oberlin College go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Oberlin College is $58,343. This is $7,952 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Oberlin College who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Oberlin take out in loans?
Graduates of Oberlin take out a median of $26,000 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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Oberlin College