EC vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

EC vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC 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 Elmira College than Oberlin ($23,682 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 25.4% lower than at Oberlin College ($14,550 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 72.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $28,390 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.8% higher at Oberlin than at Elmira College (about $28,390 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Oberlin College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 24.3% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($35,780 vs. $28,780).

EC vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC 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 EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 200 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oberlin students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

EC vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Elmira 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, Oberlin College graduates have a $421 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($26,579 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 72%)

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.