Oberlin College
Oberlin College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Oberlin College at a Glance
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Oberlin, Ohio, United States. Founded as the Oberlin Collegiate Institute in 1833, it is the oldest coeducational liberal arts college in the United States and the second-oldest continuously operating coeducational institute of higher learning in the world. The Oberlin Conservatory of Music is the oldest continuously operating conservatory in the United States.
1833
193 years old
$1.5B
$1.48 billion (2025)
2,785
327
Identity
Is Oberlin College Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Oberlin College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $58,343 — 8% above average — while paying $38,645/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.6-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 80% graduation rate means roughly 20% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Oberlin College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Oberlin College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #18 of 25 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Trinity University | 63 | $23,464 | $71,668 |
| #2 | Mount Holyoke College | 47 | $26,441 | $58,418 |
| #3 | Gettysburg College | 47 | $31,490 | $71,517 |
| #4 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #5 | Furman University | 45 | $30,308 | $68,635 |
| #6 | Macalester College | 44 | $32,149 | $63,878 |
| #18 | Oberlin College | 30 | $38,645 | $58,343 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Oberlin College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in OH.
Best Programs at Oberlin College
The highest-earning program at Oberlin College is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $66,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Area Studies at $16,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Oberlin College earns $66,500, while a Area Studies graduate earns $16,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $38,645/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $66,500 | $66,500 | N/A |
| Economics | $39,100 | $39,100 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $21,500 | $21,500 | $26,950 |
| Psychology, General | $20,600 | $20,600 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $19,000 | $19,000 | $25,000 |
| Music | $17,600 | $17,600 | $27,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $17,400 | $17,400 | $22,125 |
| Area Studies | $16,700 | $16,700 | $20,192 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Oberlin, OH
- Student Body
- 2,887 students
- Admission Rate
- 34%
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $38,645
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,343
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000