Grinnell vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Grinnell vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell 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 Grinnell College than Oberlin ($34,363 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 13.7% lower than at Oberlin College ($16,842 vs. $19,510).
• Grinnell College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $740 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Grinnell than at Oberlin College (about $740 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Grinnell College (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 37.2% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($49,077 vs. $35,780).

Grinnell vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell 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 Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 40 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Grinnell 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: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Grinnell vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell 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 Grinnell is the same as at Oberlin College (88% vs. 88%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $13,409 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($13,170 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $138 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($136 vs. $274).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.