Oberlin College

In 2022, Oberlin College's tuition was $63,700 a year.

Tuition increased 4.25% in 2023–from $61,106 the prior year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't always tell the full story. Many students find the actual cost of college is way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Oberlin College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Oberlin College is around $51,982 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $30,446 in student loans per borrower.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Oberlin College

Oberlin College is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of Ohio as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can save significant money on the overall cost of college. Take the time to confirm your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Ohio colleges

Tuition for International Students at Oberlin College

Oberlin College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Oberlin College:

•On-campus jobs •Oberlin College-specific loans •Oberlin College-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Oberlin College Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Oberlin College.

House and Food Costs at Oberlin College

Room and board at Oberlin College is $18,942 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the school dining halls.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Oberlin College?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have ways so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Oberlin College

The cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation.

Where are a college is located can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area may be expensive, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. Oberlin Collegeis located in a town in Ohio, near Cleveland.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to factor in the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Oberlin College

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Oberlin College.

Total Cost of Oberlin College

What will the cost of attending Oberlin College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$63,700
Room and Board	$18,942

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$83,538
Off-Campus	$64,596

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Oberlin College Financial Aid

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In 2023, 1,117 of the 2,986 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Oberlin College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $51,982 a year. Around 45.4% of Oberlin College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Oberlin College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $30,446 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,771
Private Loans	$24,659

Most Common Loans for Oberlin College Students
Federal Loans	41.37%
Private loans	6.87%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Oberlin College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Oberlin College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Oberlin College awarded 116 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $67.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $28.86 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Oberlin College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Oberlin College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Oberlin College was $51,982 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Oberlin College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$31,556
Off-Campus	$12,614

What will attending Oberlin College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Oberlin College's net cost calculator on their website.

Oberlin College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Oberlin College Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Oberlin College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Oberlin College's endowment was $1.272 billion. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021.

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Learn More About Oberlin College

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