Oberlin College vs Capital University: which has better ROI?
Oberlin College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $154,580 in 15.5 years versus 15.6 years at Capital University, on median earnings of $58,343 vs $54,143 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Oberlin College | Capital University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,645 | $22,576 |
| Total net cost | $154,580 | $90,304 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,343 | $54,143 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $26,889 |
| Payback | 15.5 yrs | 15.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $45,080 | $25,356 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Oberlin College or Capital University?
Capital University, at $22,576 a year after aid versus $38,645 — a gap of $16,069 a year, or $64,276 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Oberlin College or Capital University graduates earn more?
Oberlin College graduates report a median $58,343 ten years after entry, $4,200 more than the $54,143 at Capital 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, Oberlin College or Capital University?
Oberlin College: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $26,889 at Capital University, a difference of $889. 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 60% at Capital 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.