University of Cincinnati-Main Campus vs Oberlin College: 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 15.9 years at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, on median earnings of $58,343 vs $54,810 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Oberlin College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,648 | $38,645 |
| Total net cost | $102,592 | $154,580 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,810 | $58,343 |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 15.9 yrs | 15.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $26,408 | $45,080 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus or Oberlin College?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, at $25,648 a year after aid versus $38,645 — a gap of $12,997 a year, or $51,988 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Cincinnati-Main Campus or Oberlin College graduates earn more?
Oberlin College graduates report a median $58,343 ten years after entry, $3,533 more than the $54,810 at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus. 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, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus or Oberlin College?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $21,250 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Oberlin College, a difference of $4,750. 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 75% at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus. 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.