What makes Oberlin different
- College plus Conservatory. Students can earn degrees from both, and non-music majors have many ways to keep making music.
- Research for undergraduates. Science students do lab and field research alongside faculty, and some co-publish.
- Midwest Merit Scholarship. Admitted students from Ohio and 11 other Midwestern states receive $100,000.
What Oberlin students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): music performance (108), biology (38), psychology (34), history (29), econometrics and quantitative economics (28) and computer and information sciences (28). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Oberlin if…
- You love music and want it alongside another field.
- You'd like a progressive small-town campus.
- You're drawn to the sciences, the arts or the humanities.
Worth asking about
- How does the double-degree program work?
- Which states qualify for the Midwest Merit Scholarship?
How Oberlin compares with other liberal arts colleges
Oberlin admitted 34.2% of applicants for fall 2024, the highest rate in this group. See how these 20 liberal arts colleges compare.
FAQ
What is Oberlin College's acceptance rate? 34.2% for fall 2024: 3,601 of 10,536 applicants were admitted.
Does Oberlin have early decision? Yes. Oberlin offers binding early decision in two rounds; early decision applicants sign an agreement with a parent or guardian and counselor. Source
Does Oberlin require the SAT or ACT? No. Oberlin is test-optional, and the absence of scores doesn't count against an application. This applies to students applying in 2026–27 for fall 2027. Source
Does Oberlin charge out-of-state tuition? No. Oberlin is private, so published tuition and fees are the same for students from any state: $67,366 a year before aid. About 93% of first-year students came from outside Ohio.
How much is Oberlin tuition per semester? About $33,683 a semester, half the published $67,366 a year, before aid.
How many students go to Oberlin? About 2,900 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is Oberlin known for? Its Conservatory of Music, progressive history and small-town campus.
How much does Oberlin cost? Published tuition and fees are $67,366 a year before aid, and the total cost of attendance is $87,404. Students who received aid paid $37,377 a year on average.
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