Oberlin vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oberlin College is located in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oberlin College 9:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Oberlin vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oberlin or UVA? 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 University of Virginia Main Campus than Oberlin ($18,427 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 24.1% lower than at Oberlin College ($14,800 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 209% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $45,563 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at Oberlin than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $7,854 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at University of Virginia Main Campus (99% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 24.6% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($35,780 vs. $28,715).

Oberlin vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 40 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming UVA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 1360/1520; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 31/34; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oberlin - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 40% at UVA.

Oberlin vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oberlin and UVA? 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).

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $33,300 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $7,079 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($201 vs. $274).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.