Northwestern vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Northwestern vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Northwestern University than Oberlin ($26,830 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 7.6% lower than at Northwestern University ($19,510 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $956 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Northwestern than at Oberlin College (about $956 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Northwestern University (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 80.1% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($64,429 vs. $35,780).

Northwestern vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 100 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Northwestern vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $45,900 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,201 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($19,378 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($200 vs. $274).
• More Northwestern 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.