Is Oberlin College worth it?

Oberlin, OH · private-nonprofit

Verdict

Typical students pay $38,645 a year after aid, graduate with $26,000 in federal debt, and earn $38,871 six years after enrolling — an estimated monthly loan payment of $278, with a debt break-even of about 6.7 years.

Net price / year

$38,645

Admission rate

34%

Graduation rate

Median debt

$26,000

Earnings (6 yr)

$38,871

Earnings (10 yr)

$58,343

Est. monthly loan payment

$278

Loan-to-income ratio

67%

Debt break-even

6.7 years

How Oberlin College compares

MetricOberlin CollegeOhioNational
Net price$38,645$16,541$16,642
Median debt$26,000$13,837$12,377
Earnings (6 yr)$38,871$35,009$33,037
Graduation rate

FAQ

How much does it cost to attend Oberlin College?

The federal average net price after grants and scholarships is $38,645 a year. That figure reflects what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price.

How much debt do Oberlin College graduates typically carry?

Students who complete a program at Oberlin College leave with a median federal debt of $26,000, based on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.

What do Oberlin College graduates earn?

Six years after enrolling, former students report median earnings of $38,871, drawn from federal tax records aggregated by the College Scorecard.

What is the graduation rate at Oberlin College?

Graduation rate data is not currently published for this school.

Is Oberlin College worth the debt?

Based on median debt and 6-year earnings, it would take roughly 6.7 years of 10% income allocation to pay off the typical debt load — compare that against your own expected major and career path before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.