Oberlin vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oberlin College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oberlin College is located in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oberlin College 9:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Oberlin vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oberlin or Whitman 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 Whitman College than Oberlin ($37,633 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 22.7% lower than at Oberlin College ($15,080 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $3,316 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Oberlin than at Whitman College (about $3,316 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Whitman College (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 13.2% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($40,489 vs. $35,780).

Oberlin vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 40 points higher than at Whitman College (1400).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Whitman College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 1360/1520; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 31/34; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oberlin - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whitman College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Whitman College has a higher acceptance rate (38.1%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Oberlin vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oberlin and Whitman 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).

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Whitman College's (86%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $9,079 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($17,500 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($180 vs. $274).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.