Amherst vs. Oberlin

Amherst College and Oberlin College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Oberlin College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 34.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $51,624 at Oberlin.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Oberlin 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Oberlin $43,900 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Oberlin College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Oberlin34.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Oberlin1360-1520
Average net price
Amherst $32,575 less
Amherst$19,049
Oberlin$51,624
In-state tuition
Oberlin $3,114 less
Amherst$70,480
Oberlin$67,366
Out-of-state tuition
Oberlin $3,114 less
Amherst$70,480
Oberlin$67,366
Graduation rate
Amherst +8 pts
Amherst96%
Oberlin88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$38,100
Amherst$82,000
Oberlin$43,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Oberlin 10,536
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Oberlin 3,601
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Oberlin 34.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Oberlin 19.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Oberlin 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Oberlin 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Oberlin 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Oberlin A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Oberlin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Oberlin High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Oberlin 1360-1520
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Oberlin 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Oberlin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Oberlin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Oberlin $19,510
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Oberlin $51,624
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Oberlin $35,780
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Oberlin 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Oberlin 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Oberlin $43,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Oberlin 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Oberlin $26,579
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Oberlin $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Oberlin 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Oberlin
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Oberlin Oberlin, OH
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Oberlin Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Oberlin 2,909
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Oberlin Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Oberlin #153

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Oberlin College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 5.7% lower than at Oberlin College ($18,390 vs. $19,510).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Amherst than at Oberlin College (about $3,114 more per year; $70,480 vs. $67,366).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Amherst College (99% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 91.7% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($68,591 vs. $35,780).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Amherst than at Oberlin (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Oberlin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at Oberlin (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,604 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,579).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($134 vs. $274).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 82%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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