Hillsdale College vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

Compare Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oberlin College is larger than Hillsdale College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,792 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hillsdale College is located in Hillsdale, Michigan (Distant Town setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Hillsdale College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hillsdale College 8:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Hillsdale College vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hillsdale College or Oberlin? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hillsdale College than Oberlin ($23,993 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hillsdale College are 30.3% lower than at Oberlin College ($13,600 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 103% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hillsdale College (about $34,177 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103% higher at Oberlin than at Hillsdale College (about $34,177 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hillsdale College as at Oberlin College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 47.1% larger than aid received by Hillsdale College students ($35,780 vs. $24,328).

Hillsdale College vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hillsdale College or Oberlin? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Oberlin and Hillsdale College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 30 points higher than at Hillsdale College (1410).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Hillsdale College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Hillsdale College 1320/1490; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Hillsdale College 30/33; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hillsdale College - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hillsdale College Mar 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Hillsdale College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Hillsdale College (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at Hillsdale College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Hillsdale College vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hillsdale College and Oberlin? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate is 88%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Hillsdale College.
• Graduates from Oberlin College have median earnings of about $43,900 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Hillsdale College.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.