Colorado College vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colorado College vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado College 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 Colorado College than Oberlin ($36,123 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 17.9% lower than at Oberlin College ($16,020 vs. $19,510).
• Colorado College is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $3,368 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Colorado College than at Oberlin College (about $3,368 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Colorado College (99% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($50,834 vs. $35,780).

Colorado College vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado College 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 Colorado College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 90 points higher than at Colorado College (1350).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Colorado College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 1230/1460; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Colorado College vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado College 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).

• The graduation rate at Colorado College is the same as at Oberlin College (88% vs. 88%).
• Graduates from Colorado College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $6,079 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($211 vs. $274).
• More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.