Oberlin College vs Wellesley College
Oberlin College and Wellesley College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Oberlin, located in Ohio, boasts a diverse student body with a strong commitment to social justice, while Wellesley, situated in Massachusetts, excels in preparing women for leadership roles. With acceptance rates of 32% and 24%, respectively, both colleges are highly selective. Oberlin's popular majors include music, environmental studies, and psychology, while Wellesley students often pursue economics, political science, and English. Oberlin's student body is more diverse, with 48% students of color compared to Wellesley's 38%. Both colleges boast impressive graduation rates, with Oberlin at 87% and Wellesley at 89%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Oberlin College |
![]() Wellesley College |
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Overview |
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Location | Oberlin, Ohio | Wellesley, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Town: Fringe | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 97.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 34.3% | 16.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$100
Graduate:
$100
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SAT range | 1338 - 1460 | 1400 - 1540 |
ACT range | 30 - 34 | 31 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 34.0% | 36.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 22.0% | 23.0% |
Total number of applicants | 10,597 | 7,663 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,639 | 1,240 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 864 | 606 |
Yield rate | 23.7% | 48.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $73,914 | $64,602 |
Average net price | $44,689 | $21,862 |
Tuition | $59,384 | $60,424 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,858
Meal plan:
$8,996
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Room/dormitory:
$9,704
Meal plan:
$8,584
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
93.0%
Average amount $34,607 |
60.0%
Average amount $55,483 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $5,142 |
13.0%
Average amount $3,993 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $4,519 |
13.0%
Average amount $5,043 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,942
Men 41.6% Women 58.4% |
2,461
Men 1.2% Women 98.8% |
Graduate students |
11
Men 72.7% Women 27.3% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 11.1% | 13.8% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Fringe | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,694 | 2,211 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.3% | 92.1% |
Dropout rate | 17.3% | 7.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
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