Case Western vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

Compare Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Case Western Reserve University is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (12,475 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Case Western vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Case Western 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 Case Western Reserve University than Oberlin ($44,000 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Case Western Reserve University are 3.8% lower than at Oberlin College ($18,762 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Case Western (about $758 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $66,608.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Oberlin than at Case Western Reserve University (about $758 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $66,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Case Western Reserve University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Case Western Reserve University students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($41,913 vs. $35,780).

Case Western vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Case Western 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 Case Western.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Case Western Reserve University (1490) is 50 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Case Western students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Case Western Reserve University 1430/1540; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Case Western Reserve University 32/34; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Case Western - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Case Western Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Case Western students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Case Western has a higher acceptance rate (36.5%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at Case Western vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Case Western vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Case Western 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 Case Western Reserve University's (78%).
• Graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn a median of about $40,800 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,700 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Case Western Reserve University graduates have a $2,513 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($24,066 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Case Western graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($248 vs. $274).
• More Case Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.