Oberlin vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oberlin College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oberlin College is located in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oberlin College 9:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Oberlin vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oberlin or Olin College? 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 Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than Oberlin ($43,184 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 6.2% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($19,510 vs. $20,810).
• Oberlin College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $968 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Oberlin than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $968 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Oberlin College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students is 21% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($43,290 vs. $35,780).

Oberlin vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oberlin or Olin College? 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 Olin College and Oberlin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 90 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 1360/1520; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oberlin - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Olin College (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Oberlin vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oberlin and Olin College? 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Oberlin College's (88%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $11,869 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($14,710 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($152 vs. $274).

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.