Hillsdale College vs Oberlin College

Hillsdale College is the more selective of the two at 32%, versus 32% at Oberlin College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Hillsdale College
Selective
32%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1400
Private · Michigan
Oberlin College
Selective
32%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1430
Private · Ohio

Hillsdale College vs Oberlin College: the differences that matter

How Hillsdale College and Oberlin College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Hillsdale College and Oberlin College are almost equally selective (32% vs 32%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Hillsdale College leans more on alumni / legacy relation, volunteer work, level of applicant interest, while Oberlin College puts more weight on extracurricular activities, talent / ability. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Hillsdale College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1400 and Oberlin College's is around 1430. Admitted students at Oberlin College post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorHillsdale CollegeOberlin College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Application essayvery importantvery important
Recommendationsvery importantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesimportantvery important
Talent / abilityimportantvery important
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantvery important
Volunteer workimportantconsidered
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Hillsdale College or Oberlin College harder to get into?

Hillsdale College is harder to get into, with a 32% acceptance rate versus 32% at Oberlin College.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Hillsdale College and Oberlin College?

Hillsdale College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1400, and Oberlin College's is around 1430.

What are my chances at Hillsdale College and Oberlin College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.