Oberlin College, founded in 1833, is an independent coeducational institution. It comprises two divisions, the College of Arts and Sciences, with about 2,200 students, and the Conservatory of Music, with about 600 enrolled. Oberlin offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of music degree programs, as well as a combined five-year program leading to both degrees. Selected master's degree programs are offered in the Conservatory, and starting in June of 2007, a Masters in Education program will also be offered.

Learn more about Oberlin from its Statement of Goals and Objectives.

The presence of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music on one campus is rare and enriching. Students in the College and Conservatory share residences and dining facilities as part of a single academic community. Most Conservatory students take academic work in the College of Arts and Sciences, and each year more than one-third of the College students take applied music or courses in the Conservatory.

Oberlin's size, residential character, diversity and selectivity provide an atmosphere highly conducive to intellectual and personal growth. Its faculty of teacher-scholars has traditionally emphasized both academic achievement and individual development. Oberlin students participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities on the campus.

Oberlin College is highly selective and dedicated to recruiting students from diverse backgrounds. Oberlin was the first truly coeducational college in the United States, as well as an early leader in educating black students.

Oberlin College is accredited by the North Central Association of College and Secondary Schools, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

The College is located in the city of Oberlin, with a population of 8,600.

Contact us for additional information about Oberlin College.

 

History

Founded in 1833, Oberlin was the first institution of higher education in America to adopt a policy to admit students of color (1835) and the first college to award bachelor’s degrees to women (1841) in a coeducational program.

Location

Oberlin, Ohio (population 8,600), is located 35 miles southwest of Cleveland

Campus

Residential campus of 440 acres

Degrees Offered

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Music (BMus)
• Double Degree (five-year program leading to both the BA and BMus)

Graduate Degrees

• Master of Music in Performance on Historical Instruments
• Master of Music (integrated, five-year programs in opera theater, conducting, and historical performance)
• Master of Music Teaching
• Master of Education

Two-Year Certificates in Music:

• Performance Diploma (undergraduate)
• Artist Diploma (graduate)

Calendar

Two 14-week semesters, with a winter-term project in January

Enrollment

2,800 students (2,200 College of Arts and Sciences, 400 Conservatory of Music, 200 double degree)

Student Body

9% in-state, 85% out-of-state, 6% from abroad; 55% female, 45% male

Student Organizations

120 organizations

Athletics

22 varsity teams

Geographic Distribution:

Mid-Atlantic	31%
Midwest	22%
New England	12%
Southwest	20%
South	9%
International	6%

Alumni

38,000 and growing; since 1920, more Obies have gone on to earn PhDs than graduates from any other predominantly undergraduate liberal arts college; three have been recipients of a Nobel Prize; six have been awarded MacArthur “genius” Fellowships.

Costs for Academic Year 2006-07:

Tuition	$34,216
Required Fees	$210
Room	$4,580
Board	$4,140
Total	$43,146

Financial Aid

More than $39 million awarded annually to about two thirds of Oberlin students, with average aid of $25,000 (grant, loan, and work) each year.

Faculty

Student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1 (Arts and Sciences), 8:1 (Conservatory of Music); 68 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Libraries

Oberlin has four libraries housing 2.3 million items: the Mudd Learning Center and three other libraries specializing in music, art, and science.

Cultural Life

More than 400 concerts and recitals, about 40 theater and dance productions and two operas each year; one of the finest college art museums in the nation