George Washington vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Washington University is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

George Washington vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington University than Oberlin ($46,485 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 13.3% lower than at Oberlin College ($16,920 vs. $19,510).
• George Washington University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $344 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at George Washington than at Oberlin College (about $344 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at George Washington University (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($37,500 vs. $35,780).

George Washington vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 10 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming George Washington students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Oberlin (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman George Washington students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

George Washington vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $36,600 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Washington University graduates have a $1,617 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($24,962 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, George Washington graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($258 vs. $274).
• More George Washington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.