College of Arts and Sciences

About the College of Arts and Sciences

About the College of Arts and Sciences

Highlights

  • Since 1920, more Oberlin graduates have gone on to earn PhDs than have the graduates of any other American baccalaureate college.
  • Degree programs in 47 academic majors, plus 42 minors and concentrations.
  • Oberlin's Science Center features a 64-bit supercomputer - the first installed at any four-year, liberal arts college in the nation.
  • Students helped to design the largest photovoltaic array in Ohio and the first entirely solar-powered academic building at any U.S. college or university.
 

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

The Oberlin College campus is located on 440 acres in Oberlin, Ohio, 35 miles southwest of Cleveland.

Degree and Diploma Programs

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • Double-Degree Program (BM/BA five-year program offered jointly offered by the Conservatory and the College of Arts and Sciences)
  • Graduate Teacher Education Program

Academic Year

Two semesters with January designated as Winter Term, when students select one topic of concentration to pursue with an emphasis on self-education, creativity, and intellectual independence.

Enrollment

2,800 students (2,200 College of Arts and Sciences, 600 Conservatory of Music, including 200 double degree)

Student Body

9% in-state, 85% out-of-state, 7% from abroad; 54% female, 46% male

Student Organizations

More than 140 groups

Athletics

22 varsity teams

Geographic Distribution

Mid-Atlantic 31%
Midwest 23%
New England 11%
West/Southwest 19%
South 9%
International 7%

Alumni

More than 50,000 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; seven have been awarded MacArthur "genius" Fellowships.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition $39,686
Required Fees $318
Room $5,450
Board $5,030
Total $50,484

Financial Aid

More than $49 million awarded this academic year to about two thirds of Oberlin students, with average annual award of $31,500 (grants, loans, and work-study).

Faculty

U.S. News & World Report recognized Oberlin faculty for their commitment to undergraduate teaching in “Best Colleges 2010” guide; Oberlin ranked third in the nation. 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 2.4 million items: the Mudd Learning Center and three other libraries specializing in music, art, and science.

Cultural Life

More than 500 concerts and recitals, about 40 theater and dance productions and two operas each year; one of the top five college art museums in the nation

 
Did You Know

Students who wish to pursue topics outside of traditional courses, an important alternative is available in the Experimental College (ExCo). Founded in 1968, ExCo is a student-run organization that sponsors courses (for limited academic credit) taught Oberlin faculty, students, administrators, and residents. Rock climbing, performance swing, astrology, 16-mm film production, jump rope, bike mechanics, henna body art… you name it, ExCo may have a class about it.

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