Oberlin vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH with Lawrence University in Appleton, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oberlin College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oberlin College is located in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oberlin College 9:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Oberlin vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oberlin or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University than Oberlin ($27,161 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 37.6% lower than at Oberlin College ($12,165 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lawrence (about $10,384 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at Oberlin than at Lawrence University (about $10,384 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University than at Oberlin College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 19.3% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($42,688 vs. $35,780).

Oberlin vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 130 points higher than at Lawrence (1310).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 1360/1520; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 31/34; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oberlin - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oberlin students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Oberlin vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oberlin and Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University's (77%).
• Graduates from Lawrence University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,600 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oberlin College graduates have a $771 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($26,579 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($274 vs. $282).
• More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

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.