Biology at Oberlin College

Oberlin College charges a selective-school premium—evidenced by its 33% admission rate and 1440 average SAT—but its biology program delivers earnings that lag far behind both state and national standards. One year out, graduates earn just $22,684, placing them in the bottom 5% nationally for biology majors and well below Ohio's median of $31,017. Meanwhile, top-performing Ohio biology programs like Ohio Dominican and several Miami University campuses produce graduates earning $38,000+, nearly 70% more than Oberlin's biology grads.

The debt burden of $23,250 isn't catastrophic, but paired with first-year earnings barely above minimum wage, it creates real financial strain. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.02 means graduates owe more than their entire first year's salary—a concerning starting point for a program at a school with Oberlin's tuition structure. Even if earnings grow substantially over time, the initial years will be financially difficult.

If your child is set on biology and considering Oberlin, understand they're likely paying for the liberal arts experience and campus culture, not career positioning in the sciences. Other Ohio schools deliver significantly stronger biology outcomes at lower costs. Unless graduate school is the immediate plan—where Oberlin's academic reputation might provide an advantage—this program represents poor return on investment compared to alternatives within the state.