Oberlin College

One of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges, Oberlin is committed to rigorous academics, artistic excellence, and social justice. Oberlin College was the first in America to adopt a policy to admit students of color (1835) and the first to educate women alongside men (1837) in a baccalaureate program. Oberlin's distinct history of challenging intellectual and social conventions shapes the student experience today. Individuality is prized at Oberlin, which fosters strong bonds among a diverse community of bright and talented students from around the world.

Oberlin, Ohio (population 8,600), is located 35 miles southwest of Cleveland and less than 30 minutes from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The residential campus of 440 acres enrolls 2,800 students; 85 percent come from outside Ohio. About 2,200 students are pursuing degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences; while 400 students are enrolled in the Conservatory of Music (200 are in both areas, earning a double degree).

At Oberlin, an emphasis on rigorous academics is balanced with a strong interest in the arts and a commitment to society. Oberlin is an intellectual community where students explore ideas because they are inspired to learn, not simply to pass a test. Students frequently undertake double majors or lab research in close collaboration with faculty mentors. Since 1920, more Oberlin graduates have gone on to earn PhDs than have graduates of any other predominantly undergraduate institution. Since 1920, more Oberlin graduates have gone on to earn PhDs than have graduates of any other predominantly undergraduate institution.

While Oberlin professors make important contributions to their disciplines through writing and research, their primary focus is teaching undergraduates. Our student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1 in the College of Arts and Sciences and 8:1 in the Conservatory of Music. More than two-thirds of classes have fewer than 20 students.

The combination of a leading College of Arts and Sciences and a world-class Conservatory of Music creates an unparalleled learning environment at Oberlin. Students in both programs share residence and dining halls as part of one campus community. Conservatory students also broaden their education with classes in the liberal arts. In addition, the Allen Memorial Art Museum houses collections ranking among the top five of any college or university museum in the country.

Oberlin's atmosphere of artistic expression includes numerous student-produced performances in theater, dance, poetry, popular music, and improvisational comedy. Conservatory of Music students have performed from New York's Carnegie Hall to Beijing's Poly Theater. Students and faculty also share their talents on campus, giving about 400 solo and ensemble concerts annually; the majority are free. In addition, the Artist Recital Series brings some of the world's best classical musicians to Oberlin. Recent concerts include the American Brass Quintet, Juan Diego Florez, and Marilyn Horne.

Oberlin's architecture is also distinct: stately 19th-century buildings, made of sandstone blocks carved from nearby quarries, stand alongside more recent buildings by such noted architects as Cass Gilbert, Minoru Yamasaki, and Robert Venturi. Completed in 2002, the 230,000-square-foot Science Center is designed to promote collaboration across disciplines. The Environmental Studies Center features the largest photovoltaic array in Ohio; it is believed to be the largest solar-powered academic building in the country. A national model for "green" architecture, the center has a real-time feedback display that engages visitors in learning how building systems utilize renewable resources to provide heat, electricity, and clean water.

About 88 percent of Oberlin students live on campus. There are no fraternities or sororities at Oberlin. Rather, students may opt to live in one of nine houses, each emphasizing a different culture. The 600-plus-member cooperative housing organization is the largest on any campus in America in terms of the percentage of students who participate. Run by students, nine residential coops and four dining coops (including Kosher and vegan) provide experiences in shared responsibility and decision-making.

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