DePauw vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

Compare DePauw University in Greencastle, IN with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oberlin College is larger than DePauw based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,917 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePauw University is located in Greencastle, IN (Distant Town setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• DePauw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePauw University 10:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

DePauw vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePauw 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 DePauw University than Oberlin ($31,411 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DePauw University are 21.4% lower than at Oberlin College ($15,330 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 14% more expensive for in-state tuition than DePauw (about $8,296 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $59,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at Oberlin than at DePauw University (about $8,296 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $59,070.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at DePauw University as at Oberlin College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DePauw University students is 19.9% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($42,909 vs. $35,780).

DePauw vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePauw 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 DePauw.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 130 points higher than at DePauw (1310).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at DePauw).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePauw University 1200/1410; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePauw University 28/32; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePauw - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePauw Feb 1, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePauw students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• DePauw has a higher acceptance rate (57.2%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at DePauw vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

DePauw vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePauw 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 DePauw University's (85%).
• Graduates from DePauw University earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,000 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePauw University graduates have a $991 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($25,588 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, DePauw graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($264 vs. $274).
• More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePauw 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.