Oberlin College vs Hiram College: which has better ROI?
Hiram College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $84,232 in 14.2 years versus 15.5 years at Oberlin College, on median earnings of $54,311 vs $58,343 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Oberlin College | Hiram College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,645 | $21,058 |
| Total net cost | $154,580 | $84,232 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,343 | $54,311 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 15.5 yrs | 14.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $45,080 | $34,788 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Oberlin College or Hiram College?
Hiram College, at $21,058 a year after aid versus $38,645 — a gap of $17,587 a year, or $70,348 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 Hiram College graduates earn more?
Oberlin College graduates report a median $58,343 ten years after entry, $4,032 more than the $54,311 at Hiram College. 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 Hiram College?
Oberlin College: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Hiram College, a difference of $1,000. 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 55% at Hiram College. 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.