Oberlin College vs Hillsdale College
Oberlin College and Hillsdale College, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer contrasting educational experiences. Oberlin, a liberal arts college in Ohio, boasts a diverse student body and a strong commitment to social justice. With an acceptance rate of 32%, it attracts students from various backgrounds who pursue popular majors like Psychology, Biology, and Economics. On the other hand, Hillsdale College, a private liberal arts college in Michigan, emphasizes a classical education rooted in Western tradition. Its acceptance rate of 56% reflects a more selective admissions process, and its student body is predominantly white and conservative. Popular majors at Hillsdale include Economics, History, and Political Science. Both colleges offer a unique blend of academic rigor and extracurricular opportunities, but their contrasting characteristics make them suitable for different types of students. Explore the comparison table to discover which college aligns better with your academic aspirations and personal values.
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![]() Hillsdale College |
![]() Oberlin College |
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Overview |
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Location | Hillsdale, Michigan | Oberlin, Ohio |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 94.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Undenominational | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 23.7% | 34.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$25
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Undergraduate:
$100
Graduate:
$100
|
SAT range | 1340 - 1510 | 1338 - 1460 |
ACT range | 30 - 34 | 30 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 22.0% | 34.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 38.0% | 22.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,994 | 10,597 |
Total number of admissions given out | 709 | 3,639 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 397 | 864 |
Yield rate | 56.0% | 23.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | 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 | $45,382 | $73,914 |
Average net price | $24,057 | $44,689 |
Tuition | $28,730 | $59,384 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,020
Meal plan:
$6,120
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Room/dormitory:
$8,858
Meal plan:
$8,996
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $20,535 |
93.0%
Average amount $34,607 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
34.0%
Average amount $5,142 |
Students taking out private loans |
34.0%
Average amount $10,497 |
4.0%
Average amount $4,519 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,515
Men 50.6% Women 49.4% |
2,942
Men 41.6% Women 58.4% |
Graduate students |
87
Men 67.8% Women 32.2% |
11
Men 72.7% Women 27.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity | N/A |
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | N/A | 11.1% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 1,124 | 2,694 |
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 | 8:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 87.6% | 82.3% |
Dropout rate | 8.3% | 17.3% |
Transferred out | 3.9% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | N/A |
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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