Wheaton College vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Wheaton College vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College than Oberlin ($31,356 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 33.3% lower than at Oberlin College ($13,010 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 47.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $21,820 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at Oberlin than at Wheaton College (about $21,820 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Wheaton College (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 27.8% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($35,780 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 70 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Wheaton College vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College's (87%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $4,079 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($232 vs. $274).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.