Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 81.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 79.5%
- Retention Rate
- 88.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $58,343
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 81.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $26,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $41,205 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $23,250 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $28,236 | |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | Bachelor | $27,750 | |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $23,456 | $23,250 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $22,771 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $21,508 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $21,508 | $23,750 |
| Music. | Bachelor | $19,531 | $25,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $19,045 | $25,567 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $18,771 | $20,500 |
| Philosophy. | Bachelor | $18,154 | |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $16,992 | $25,500 |
Outcomes Overview
Oberlin graduates earn a median of $58,343 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 45% with typical student loans of $26,000. Monthly loan payments of $276 consume about 5.7% of median income, which is manageable compared to the national average of 10-15%. The college's strong liberal arts foundation and conservatory training send graduates into creative fields, education, nonprofit work, and graduate programs where early earnings may be modest but long-term prospects are solid. With an 81.6% loan repayment rate and 92.8% employment rate, plus Oberlin's strong reputation opening doors in competitive fields, this represents an average return on investment despite the high sticker price.