Oberlin College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Oberlin College
In a quiet Ohio town, Oberlin College pairs a rigorous liberal arts education with a bold creative streak. It's known for engaged teaching across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences, with close faculty mentorship and lively seminar-style classes. Students tap deep resources, from light-filled studios and rehearsal spaces to well-equipped labs, libraries, a serious art museum, and student services that include advising, tutoring, and health and counseling support.
The campus culture leans curious, outspoken, and collaborative, with a reputation for early commitments to access and social justice that still shape daily life. Co-ops, student media, community engagement, and frequent concerts keep the calendar full, while the arboretum and athletic facilities offer room to move. Career prep centers on real projects, alumni connections, and pathways into arts, public service, research, and new fields. Town is walkable with cafés, bookstores, an independent cinema, and Cleveland close by. Alumni include Lena Dunham and Lucy Stone.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Oberlin College offers 48 degree programs across 16 major academic fields, graduating approximately 875 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Arts (11 programs, 257 graduates), Social Sciences (5 programs, 100 graduates), Biological Sciences (3 programs, 80 graduates), Psychology (1 programs, 57 graduates) and Cultural Studies (6 programs, 56 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Arts (11 programs, 257 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music Performance | 110 |
|
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
50.0903 |
| Film and Media Studies | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0601 |
| Music | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0999 |
| Studio Arts, General | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Jazz Studies | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0910 |
| Theatre Arts | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Art History and Conservation | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Music Technology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
50.0913 |
| Dance | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.9999 |
Social Sciences (5 programs, 100 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 37 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Sociology | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Anthropology | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
| Archaeology | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0301 |
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 80 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 45 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Neuroscience | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Biochemistry | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
Psychology (1 programs, 57 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Cultural Studies (6 programs, 56 graduates)
Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies and Social Group Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Studies | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0102 |
| East Asian Studies | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0104 |
| African American Studies | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0201 |
| Women's Studies | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0207 |
| Latin American Studies | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0107 |
| Russian Studies | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0110 |
English (2 programs, 54 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1302 |
| English Language and Literature | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
History (1 programs, 44 graduates)
Historical Studies, Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | 44 |
|
Bachelor's
|
54.0101 |
Natural Resources (1 programs, 39 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Studies | 39 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0103 |
Physical Sciences (3 programs, 39 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0501 |
| Physics | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0801 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0601 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 34 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Oberlin College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Oberlin College
How much does it cost to attend Oberlin College?
The annual tuition at Oberlin College is $64,646 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $87,404 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $18,942 (on) / $12,270 (off) and books and supplies $1,908.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Oberlin College offer?
Oberlin College offers 48 academic programs across 16 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (≥2 yrs), Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (11 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (5 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (3 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
- Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies and Social Group Research (6 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Oberlin College?
Oberlin College has an 33% acceptance rate and a 21.4% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 11,039
- Students admitted: 3,641
- Students enrolled: 779
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Oberlin College?
Oberlin College provides financial aid to 30% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $33,746 and average loans of $5,072.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,640
- State/Local grants: $3,800
- Institutional grants: $33,119
- Federal loans: $5,109
The university supports 872 students with grants and 279 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Oberlin College graduates?
Oberlin College graduates earn a median salary of $38,871 after 6 years and $58,343 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $32,470 (25th percentile) to $85,039 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
Related Universities
Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.