U of R vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

U of R vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 Rochester than Oberlin ($40,462 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 1.4% lower than at University of Rochester ($19,510 vs. $19,792).
• Oberlin College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $286 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Oberlin than at University of Rochester (about $286 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at University of Rochester (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 27.2% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($45,500 vs. $35,780).

U of R vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 40 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming U of R students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Oberlin (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

U of R vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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).

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $27,100 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $2,079 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($253 vs. $274).
• More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 79%)

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.