UC vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 2,909 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

UC vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 Cincinnati Main Campus than Oberlin ($24,696 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 30.5% lower than at Oberlin College ($13,564 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 382% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $53,390 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.8% higher at Oberlin than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $38,056 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 336.6% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($35,780 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC or Oberlin? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Oberlin and UC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 170 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

UC vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC and Oberlin? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Cincinnati Main Campus 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, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $3,579 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($237 vs. $274).
• More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 57%)

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.