Oberlin Admission Requirements
- 8/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Oberlin, OH
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Oberlin Admission Overview
Oberlin admission requirements are highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Ohio. Last year Oberlin admitted 34.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.67 GPA (A-) and SAT 1360-1520 / ACT 31-34. Oberlin is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Oberlin is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Oberlin Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
High
Admission difficulty for Oberlin College
Acceptance Rate
The Oberlin acceptance rate is 34.2%. Last year, 3,601 of 10,536 applicants were admitted. That is the 4th lowest acceptance rate in Ohio and the 125th lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Oberlin and can you get accepted?
Oberlin is a highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Oberlin College typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.67. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Oberlin GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.67Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.67
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Oberlin typically have around a 3.67 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Oberlin is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #15 in Ohio for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Oberlin SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1360-1520Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
32%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 700
- Math 660
- Composite 1360
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 760
- Math 760
- Composite 1520
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Oberlin typically score around a 1440 SAT (middle 50% 1360–1520) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 97th percentile nationally. Oberlin ranks #2 in the state of Ohio and #76 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1360 to 1520
SAT policy
Oberlin is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1440 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Oberlin ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
31-34Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
17%25th Percentile Scores
- English 33
- Math 27
- Composite 31
75th Percentile Scores
- English 36
- Math 33
- Composite 34
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Oberlin typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 31–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Oberlin places #3 among colleges in Ohio and #81 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 31 to 34
ACT policy
You may apply to Oberlin without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
54% of Oberlin College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Oberlin chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Oberlin College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Oberlin College is $100.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Oberlin is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 34.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.67 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1360-1520); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Oberlin College often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=204501.
GPA calculator: Oberlin College GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026