AU vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

AU vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Oberlin? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at American University than Oberlin ($39,676 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 7.8% lower than at Oberlin College ($17,982 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $8,595 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Oberlin than at American University (about $8,595 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at American University (99% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($36,349 vs. $35,780).

AU vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Oberlin? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Oberlin and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 70 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

AU vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Oberlin? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,329 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($250 vs. $274).
• More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.