Butler vs. Oberlin

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

Butler University
Oberlin College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Oberlin (34.2% admitted vs 85.1%). Typical SAT 1440 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Butler. Average net price is $38,438 vs $51,624 at Oberlin.
  • Graduation: Butler 72% vs Oberlin 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Butler $68,400 vs Oberlin $43,900 (median).
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Key differences

Butler University Oberlin College
Acceptance rate
Oberlin more selective
Butler85.1%
Oberlin34.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Oberlin higher
Butler1160-1350
Oberlin1360-1520
Average net price
Butler $13,186 less
Butler$38,438
Oberlin$51,624
In-state tuition
Butler $19,806 less
Butler$47,560
Oberlin$67,366
Out-of-state tuition
Butler $19,806 less
Butler$47,560
Oberlin$67,366
Graduation rate
Oberlin +16 pts
Butler72%
Oberlin88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Butler +$24,500
Butler$68,400
Oberlin$43,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Butler 9,471
  • Oberlin 10,536
  • Admitted
  • Butler 8,058
  • Oberlin 3,601
  • Acceptance rate
  • Butler 85.1%
  • Oberlin 34.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Butler 12.9%
  • Oberlin 19.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Butler 1260
  • Oberlin 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Butler 28
  • Oberlin 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Butler 3.92
  • Oberlin 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Butler A
  • Oberlin A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Butler Difficult
  • Oberlin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Butler
  • Oberlin High
  • SAT range
  • Butler 1160-1350
  • Oberlin 1360-1520
  • ACT range
  • Butler 26-31
  • Oberlin 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Butler Test optional
  • Oberlin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Butler Aug 1, 2027
  • Oberlin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Room & board
  • Butler $16,430
  • Oberlin $19,510
  • Average net price
  • Butler $38,438
  • Oberlin $51,624
  • Average grant aid
  • Butler $27,790
  • Oberlin $35,780
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Butler 97%
  • Oberlin 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Butler 72%
  • Oberlin 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Butler $68,400
  • Oberlin $43,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Butler 84%
  • Oberlin 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Butler $27,000
  • Oberlin $26,579
  • Median loan payment
  • Butler $279
  • Oberlin $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Butler 11:1
  • Oberlin 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Butler
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Oberlin
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Butler Indianapolis, IN
  • Oberlin Oberlin, OH
  • Setting
  • Butler Large City
  • Oberlin Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Butler 5,746
  • Oberlin 2,909
  • Type
  • Butler Private 4 Year
  • Oberlin Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Butler #209
  • Oberlin #153

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Butler University is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 2,909 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Butler University are 15.8% lower than at Oberlin College ($16,430 vs. $19,510).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 41.6% higher at Oberlin than at Butler University (about $19,806 more per year; $67,366 vs. $47,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Butler University (99% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 28.8% larger than aid received by Butler University students ($35,780 vs. $27,790).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Oberlin than at Butler (32 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Butler and Oberlin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Butler average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at Oberlin (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Oberlin College graduates have a $421 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($26,579 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($274 vs. $279).
  • More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation (84% 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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