Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio · Private
Oberlin College admitted 33% of 11,732 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1370–1480 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 79% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Oberlin College
Enter a score to see whether Oberlin College is a reach, target or likely school for you.
Based on the admit rate (33%) alone. Add a score for a sharper read.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more. To see your whole list at once, use the chances calculator.
Application deadlines
Oberlin College’s first-year deadlines for 2026–27 on the Common App:
- Early decision
- November 1, 2026
- Early decision II
- January 5, 2027
- Early action
- November 1, 2026
- Regular decision
- January 15, 2027
The application is free. Oberlin College asks for the Common App personal essay, one teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, and a midyear report from your school. For financial aid it uses the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
Deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone. From Common App’s requirements grid, updated September 25, 2026. Check Oberlin College’s admissions site before you submit. See every college’s deadlines or early decision vs. early action.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 39% (263 of 668), compared with 33% for all applicants.
Oberlin College offers early action but didn’t report its early admit rate.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
968 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 460 took it, and 33 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How Oberlin College rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- Class rank
- GPA
Important
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Character
Considered
- Interview
- First generation
- Legacy
- Volunteering
- Work experience
- Showing interest
Not considered
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religion
High school GPA
First-year students averaged a 3.60 GPA. 43% of those who reported a class rank were in the top 10% of their class.
Some colleges report weighted GPAs, so compare loosely.
What it costs
Full price with housing is $87,404 a year. After grants, students paid $50,484 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
Quick answers
What is Oberlin College’s acceptance rate?
Oberlin College admitted 33% of applicants: 3,873 of 11,732 (Common Data Set 2025-2026).
When is Oberlin College’s early decision deadline?
For 2026–27, early decision is due November 1, 2026, early decision II is due January 5, 2027, early action is due November 1, 2026, and regular decision is due January 15, 2027. Common App deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone.
What SAT score do you need for Oberlin College?
The middle half of admitted students who sent the SAT scored 1370 to 1480, with a median around 1420. A score at or above 1420 puts you in the top half of admitted students who sent one.
How much is Oberlin College’s application fee?
The application is free for 2026–27.
What does Oberlin College require?
Besides the application and transcript, Oberlin College asks for the Common App personal essay, one teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, and a midyear report from your school.
Does Oberlin College have supplemental essays?
No. Oberlin College has no supplemental essays for 2026–27. You send only the Common App personal essay.
Does Oberlin College require the CSS Profile?
Yes. Oberlin College uses the CSS Profile for financial aid, along with the FAFSA, and it may ask a noncustodial parent to fill one out too.
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