Oberlin College vs Southern University

Oberlin College is the more selective of the two at 34%, versus 35% at Southern University. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Oberlin College
Selective
34%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1430
Private · Ohio
Southern University
Selective
35%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1020
Public · Louisiana

Oberlin College vs Southern University: the differences that matter

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

Oberlin College and Southern University are almost equally selective (34% vs 35%), 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. Oberlin College leans more on rigor of secondary school record, application essay, recommendations, while Southern University puts more weight on standardized test scores. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Oberlin College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1430 and Southern University's is around 1020. 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.

FactorOberlin CollegeSouthern University
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantconsidered
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresconsideredvery important
Application essayvery importantnot considered
Recommendationsvery importantnot considered
Extracurricular activitiesvery importantnot considered
Talent / abilityvery importantnot considered
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantnot considered
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Oberlin College or Southern University harder to get into?

Oberlin College is harder to get into, with a 34% acceptance rate versus 35% at Southern University.

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

Oberlin College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1430, and Southern University's is around 1020.

What are my chances at Oberlin College and Southern University?

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