Oberlin vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

Compare Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH with Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio Northern University is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (3,140 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oberlin College is located in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oberlin College 9:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

Oberlin vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oberlin or ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University than Oberlin ($25,941 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Northern University are 25.1% lower than at Oberlin College ($14,604 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 69.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ONU (about $27,566 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.3% higher at Oberlin than at Ohio Northern University (about $27,566 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Ohio Northern University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 29.2% larger than aid received by Ohio Northern University students ($35,780 vs. $27,696).

Oberlin vs. ONU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 150 points higher than at ONU (1290).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 1360/1520; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 31/34; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oberlin - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 19.9% at ONU.

Oberlin vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oberlin and ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 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 ONU graduates ($26,579 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More ONU 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.