Cedarville University vs Oberlin College: which has better ROI?
Cedarville University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,872 in 13.8 years versus 15.5 years at Oberlin College, on median earnings of $55,443 vs $58,343 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cedarville University | Oberlin College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,468 | $38,645 |
| Total net cost | $97,872 | $154,580 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,443 | $58,343 |
| Median debt | $20,937 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 13.8 yrs | 15.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $43,788 | $45,080 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cedarville University or Oberlin College?
Cedarville University, at $24,468 a year after aid versus $38,645 — a gap of $14,177 a year, or $56,708 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cedarville University or Oberlin College graduates earn more?
Oberlin College graduates report a median $58,343 ten years after entry, $2,900 more than the $55,443 at Cedarville University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Cedarville University or Oberlin College?
Cedarville University: its completers carry a median $20,937 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Oberlin College, a difference of $5,063. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at Oberlin College, against 73% at Cedarville University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.