Hope College vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Hope College is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (3,395 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Hope College vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hope 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 Hope College than Oberlin ($30,700 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope College are 33.6% lower than at Oberlin College ($12,950 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 60.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hope College (about $25,396 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.5% higher at Oberlin than at Hope College (about $25,396 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Hope College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 43.4% larger than aid received by Hope College students ($35,780 vs. $24,945).

Hope College vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 220 points higher than at Hope College (1220).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Hope College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 1100/1340; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 25/31; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hope College - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Hope College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Hope College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Hope College vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hope 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).

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Hope College's (79%).
• Graduates from Hope College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 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 Hope College graduates ($26,579 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Hope College 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.