Oberlin College is a distinguished liberal arts college in Ohio with a historic commitment to social justice, having been the first college in America to regularly admit Black students and women. Its Oberlin Conservatory of Music is one of the finest in the country, and its strong programs in environmental studies and the arts attract creative and socially engaged students.
Mascot: Yeoman
Notable Alumni
Julie Taymor (director of The Lion King)•Jerry Greenfield (co-founder of Ben & Jerry's)•Rhiannon Giddens (Pulitzer Prize-winning musician)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Oberlin banned fraternities in 1847 and hasn't looked back — the co-op housing system is the social backbone, where students cook communal meals and build intentional community. The social scene revolves around concerts (the Conservatory ensures world-class music is constant), activism, and art rather than traditional college parties. It's the most politically progressive campus on this list by a wide margin, which is either exhilarating or exhausting depending on your perspective.
An eclectic mix of Victorian, modernist, and contemporary architecture including Minoru Yamasaki's conservatory buildings, with Tappan Square providing a pleasant green anchor but the overall aesthetic varying widely.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
Campus Safety operates 24/7 with blue-light emergency phones, student shuttle service, and regular patrols. Most reported incidents are disciplinary; serious criminal offenses are infrequent.
The small town of Oberlin has moderate property crime rates somewhat above average for its size, though violent crime remains relatively low.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Year-round tours; Summer Visit Days in June-August; Junior Saturdays in April
Duration: ~60 minutes
Summer Visit Days are full-day events with tours, panels, and faculty meetings. Junior Saturdays are half-day visits with tour, info session, and student interaction. Contact campus.visit@oberlin.edu or (800) 622-6243.
Book a TourThe Allen Memorial Art Museum (free, world-class collection) and 13-acre Tappan Square that connects campus to downtown are always open. Conservatory performances are often open to visitors.
Tour ResourcesSeptember-October for beautiful fall weather and full cultural programming. April for admitted student events (All Roads Lead to Oberlin). Summer Visit Days in June-July are well-organized. Avoid January-February when northeast Ohio winters are bleak.
Free visitor parking behind the Admissions Office. Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) is 35 minutes east. Airport Oberlin Shuttle (216-941-7433) runs scheduled service during high-travel periods. Uber/Lyft available from CLE. No public transit between Cleveland and Oberlin -- rent a car or use the shuttle.
Location
Similar Colleges
Find the right college for you
Explore 161 colleges by degree, filter by acceptance rate, SAT range, and more.
Explore Colleges