Kent State vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

Compare Kent State University at Kent in Kent, OH with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kent State University at Kent is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Kent 20:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Kent State vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State 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 Kent State University at Kent than Oberlin ($21,278 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 29.3% lower than at Oberlin College ($13,794 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 409.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $54,134 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 191.9% higher at Oberlin than at Kent State University at Kent (about $44,284 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Kent State University at Kent (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 255.1% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($35,780 vs. $10,076).

Kent State vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State 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 Kent State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 310 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 18/25; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oberlin students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Kent State (3.61).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Kent State vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Kent State vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Oberlin College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Kent graduates have a $754 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($25,825 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Kent State graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($267 vs. $274).
• More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 46%)

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.