Head-to-Head Comparison
Oberlin College vs Bryn Mawr College
- Oberlin Wins
- 8
- Tied
- 12
- Bryn Mawr Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Oberlin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Bryn Mawr College achieves a higher graduation rate (82% vs 81%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $44,593 compared to Oberlin College's $41,987. Students who choose Oberlin College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $60,877 at ten years.
46 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Oberlin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $41,987, roughly $2,606 a year less
Bryn Mawr
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $80,291 ten years after enrollment, 32% more than Oberlin College
- Less debt: Median debt of $22,249, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 29% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Oberlin graduates concentrate in Visual & Performing Arts (27% of degrees); Bryn Mawr in Social Sciences (20%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Bryn Mawr College over Oberlin College. Median earnings of $80,291 ten years after enrollment vs $60,877.
Pick Oberlin College over Bryn Mawr College. Net price $41,987 vs $44,593.
Pick Bryn Mawr College over Oberlin College. 1.8% mobility rate vs 1.2%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Oberlin College and Bryn Mawr College are close on paper, but Bryn Mawr College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Bryn Mawr College is the harder admit. It takes 29% of applicants, while Oberlin College takes 34%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,447 to 1,396.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Bryn Mawr College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Oberlin College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $41,987, about $2,606 a year below Bryn Mawr College's $44,593. Graduates of Bryn Mawr College also borrow less: median debt of $22,249, against $25,488.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $10,424 before any change in aid. Choosing Oberlin College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Bryn Mawr College graduates report median earnings of $80,291, compared with $60,877 at Oberlin College. That is a 32% advantage. Set against borrowing, Bryn Mawr College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.28x to 0.42x.
So what: An earnings gap of 32% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Bryn Mawr College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.8%; at Oberlin College, it is 1.2%. Bryn Mawr College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 4.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Bryn Mawr College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Oberlin College to keep costs and debt down; pick Bryn Mawr College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Oberlin College saves about $2,606 a year, yet Bryn Mawr College graduates earn $19,414 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Oberlin College concentrates enrollment in Visual & Performing Arts, while Bryn Mawr College leans toward Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Oberlin College's enrollment of 2,887 far exceeds Bryn Mawr College's 1,359.
No strong negative signals — Bryn Mawr competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Test scores matter less at Oberlin, where only about 31% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 3 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 1 metrics
The Overviews
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH · Private nonprofit
Oberlin College, with its enrollment of nearly 2,900 students, is an excellent fit for those passionate about the arts and sciences. If you’re drawn to fields like Visual and Performing Arts, Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, or English, this might be the place for you. The acceptance rate is 34%, which means it attracts a selective group of students who are eager to engage in a vibrant academic community.
Life after graduation looks promising for Oberlin alumni, who earn an average of $58,343 a decade after finishing their degrees. This figure indicates that many graduates find fulfilling careers, although specific mobility data isn’t available. It’s worth noting that financial aid can make a significant difference, as only 10% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting a diverse socioeconomic background among the student body.
When it comes to the practical side of attending Oberlin, the net price after aid is about $38,645, with a median debt load of $26,000. This financial scenario points to a manageable investment in education, especially for those who thrive in creative and intellectually stimulating environments. Students who do well here often value a close-knit community and a commitment to personal growth alongside academic achievement.
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of just 1,359 students, Bryn Mawr College offers an intimate learning environment that suits those seeking a close-knit community and strong academic rigor. The college is particularly known for its programs in Social Sciences, Biology and Biomedical fields, English and Literature, Psychology, and Physical Sciences. This diversity in study areas allows students to explore various interests while benefiting from a supportive faculty and enriched campus life.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential, with a median income of $75,217 ten years post-graduation. This figure reflects the college's commitment to student success and prepares graduates for the workforce. While 15% of students qualify for Pell Grants, indicating a level of financial support for those from lower-income backgrounds, Bryn Mawr's affordability and graduation rate of 84% suggest that many students find a pathway to financial stability and career advancement.
The net price of attending Bryn Mawr is $31,759 after aid, and with a median debt of $25,000, students generally leave with a manageable financial burden. Those who thrive here are often self-motivated individuals who appreciate a collaborative environment and are driven by their academic pursuits. This balance of affordability, support, and strong outcomes makes Bryn Mawr a compelling choice for students ready to invest in their education and future.
Rankings They Appear On
Bryn Mawr College is featured on the Best Psychology Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Oberlin's top program is Studio Art / Fine Arts (BFA) (27% of enrollment), while Bryn Mawr leads with Sociology (20%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Oberlin) and Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Bryn Mawr).
The two schools feed different job markets. Oberlin College is strongest in Visual & Performing Arts, while Bryn Mawr College concentrates in Mathematics & Statistics. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Oberlin College or Bryn Mawr College?
Bryn Mawr College is harder to get into, admitting 29% of applicants compared with 34% at Oberlin College.
Which is more affordable, Oberlin College or Bryn Mawr College?
Oberlin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $41,987 after aid versus $44,593 at Bryn Mawr College.
Do Oberlin College or Bryn Mawr College graduates earn more?
Bryn Mawr College graduates earn more: median earnings of $80,291 ten years after enrollment, versus $60,877 at Oberlin College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Oberlin College or Bryn Mawr College?
Bryn Mawr College has the higher graduation rate, 82% versus 81%.
Oberlin College vs Bryn Mawr College: which is better for social mobility?
Bryn Mawr College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.8% versus 1.2%.
Should you choose Oberlin College or Bryn Mawr College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Oberlin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Bryn Mawr College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
Weigh Your Options
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