UChicago vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Chicago is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

UChicago vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago or Oberlin? 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 Chicago than Oberlin ($28,060 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 3% lower than at University of Chicago ($19,510 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $3,296 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at UChicago than at Oberlin College (about $3,296 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at University of Chicago (99% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 74.1% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($62,300 vs. $35,780).

UChicago vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 110 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming UChicago students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

UChicago vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago and Oberlin? 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 Chicago's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $54,600 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $12,079 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($14,500 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($149 vs. $274).
• More UChicago 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.