Oberlin, OH · Private University
Is Oberlin College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$58,343
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,646
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,646
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$258,584
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
0.90x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
11.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
79.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$39,184
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Oberlin College graduates earn $13,343 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Oberlin College ranked by graduate earnings
26 graduates
29 graduates
20 graduates
32 graduates
17 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Oberlin College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Oberlin College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $64,495) and the lowest (Music: $21,518) is $42,977/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $64,495 | 1.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $51,717 | 0.8x |
| Area Studies | $41,849 | 0.7x |
| Psychology, General | $39,131 | 0.6x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences(1yr data) | $34,593 | 0.5x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts(1yr data) | $23,519 | 0.4x |
| Biology, General(1yr data) | $22,684 | 0.3x |
| MusicLowest | $21,518 | 0.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oberlin College | 0.90x | $58,343 | Below Average |
| Mount Holyoke College | 0.91x | $58,418 | Below Average |
| Kenyon College | 1.04x | $71,830 | Average ROI |
| Brandeis University | 1.19x | $77,231 | Average ROI |
| University of Rochester | 1.23x | $79,042 | Average ROI |
| Skidmore College | 1.07x | $69,363 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Oberlin College carries higher costs relative to graduate earnings, warranting careful consideration. Graduates earn $58,343 10 years after starting — $13,343 above the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 11.1 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.