Amherst vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oberlin College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Amherst vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst 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 Amherst College than Oberlin ($19,049 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 5.7% lower than at Oberlin College ($18,390 vs. $19,510).
• Amherst College is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $3,114 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Amherst than at Oberlin College (about $3,114 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Amherst College (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 91.7% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($68,591 vs. $35,780).

Amherst vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst 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 Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 100 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Amherst vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst 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).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $38,100 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,604 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($134 vs. $274).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

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.