Organizer Information
Oberlin College and Conservatory is a private undergraduate-focused institution in Oberlin, Ohio, comprising the College of Arts and Sciences and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. The College offers a broad liberal arts curriculum alongside programs in cinema, studio art, art history, and other disciplines, while the Conservatory provides professional music education at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Oberlin College and Conservatory
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA / BFA / BA+BFA / BM / MM / MFA / Artist Diploma
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Film & Media / Art History / Integrated Arts / Music / Piano Technology
- Relevant Programs: Cinema and Media; Studio Art; Art History; BA+BFA in Integrated Arts; Conservatory music programs; Master of Music in Historical Performance; MFA in Piano Technology; Artist Diploma in Performance.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Program and admission-plan specific
- Application Deadline: 1 November 2026–1 June 2027, depending on program
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027 for the principal undergraduate admission cycle
- Application Fee: $0 College of Arts and Sciences; $100 for the Conservatory
- Tuition: $70,320 per year for 2026–27
- Funding: Need-based aid, merit scholarships, grants and other institutional financial support are available, including for international students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Oberlin's arts-related studies include Cinema and Media, Studio Art, Art History, Creative Writing, Dance, Theater, and Musical Studies. Cinema and Media combines film production with the historical, theoretical, cultural, and industrial study of cinema; its BA does not have a separate production track, although production courses count toward the degree.
- The BA+BFA in Integrated Arts is particularly interdisciplinary: students combine a BA major of their choice with a BFA in Integrated Arts, taking practice-based courses across areas including cinema and media, studio art, creative writing, theater, dance, and music.
- A portfolio is specifically required for applicants to the BA+BFA program. Other College of Arts and Sciences applicants may submit artistic materials as optional supplements.
General Eligibility
- Oberlin accepts domestic and international applicants. First-year applicants normally apply after secondary school; applicants with 30 or more semester hours of university credit, or who are enrolled full-time at another university, generally apply as transfer students. Applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree have limited transfer eligibility.
- The College evaluates applicants holistically and considers their academic preparation within their educational context. Early admission is possible for students who will meet their state's high-school diploma requirements and be at least 16 when they begin classes.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants are expected to present a strong secondary-school academic record. Oberlin strongly prefers a broad preparation including English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign-language study. Transfer applicants must submit both high-school and college transcripts.
- The MFA in Piano Technology requires a bachelor's degree, although applicants may come from varied academic and professional backgrounds; previous piano-technology experience is not required.
Language Requirements
- International College of Arts and Sciences applicants whose first language is not English, or whose secondary education was not conducted primarily in English, must demonstrate English proficiency. Oberlin accepts TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET). No current minimum score is stated on the applicable admissions page. If an applicant cannot afford the English test, Oberlin states that the application can be reviewed without the score.
- Conservatory applicants whose primary language or language of instruction is not English are also asked to provide English-proficiency evidence; TOEFL, IELTS, and DET are accepted.
Application Fee
| Applicant / School | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| College of Arts and Sciences | $0 |
| Conservatory of Music | $100 |
The Conservatory fee is non-refundable, with fee waivers accepted.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College and Conservatory, 2026–27 | Undergraduate | $70,320 | $35,160 per semester | Activity $592/year; Health $500/year; Green Edge Fund $50/year |
The 2026–27 published annual cost also lists housing at $10,270 and meal plans at $10,430. Student health insurance is $3,028 unless waived. These amounts are separate from tuition.
Funding & Financial Support
- Oberlin states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, with grants, scholarships, loans, and on-campus employment available to international students. International aid is need-aware and budget-limited, and applicants seeking need-based aid must apply for it during admission; students who do not apply at admission are not eligible to request need-based aid later.
- The College also automatically considers students for merit scholarships. International applicants may be considered for designated merit-based scholarships.
University Services & Academic Support
Oberlin provides faculty mentoring, research opportunities, career and internship support, international-student services, study-away opportunities, and access to arts facilities. Cinema and Media students use sound stages, green screens, animation rooms, and editing facilities, while art students have access to studio and museum resources. The Allen Memorial Art Museum also provides opportunities for art-history students to gain curatorial and museum experience.
Application Requirements
- For the College of Arts and Sciences, first-year applicants generally submit the application, personal essay, secondary-school report and transcript, and one academic teacher evaluation. Early Decision applicants also submit an Early Decision Agreement. The BA+BFA program additionally requires a portfolio. Interviews, SAT/ACT scores, additional recommendations, and art/performance supplements are optional.
- International applicants must additionally provide English-proficiency evidence where applicable and submit national examination results. Applicants requesting international financial aid must submit the required financial-aid materials and CSS Profile or ISAFA.
- Conservatory applicants follow a separate process involving screening materials and, depending on the area of study, auditions or interviews. Composition, TIMARA, and Recording Arts & Production require interviews rather than instrumental auditions.
How to Apply?
- College of Arts and Sciences Application Portal
- Conservatory Application Portal
- Oberlin maintains separate application processes for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- College Early Decision I Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
College Early Action Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
College Early Decision II Application Deadline: 5 January 2027
College Regular Decision Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
College Financial Aid Deadline: 1 November 2026 / 5 January 2027 / 1 November 2026 / 15 January 2027, according to the admission plan.
- Conservatory Early Decision Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
Conservatory Regular Decision Application Deadline: 1 December 2026
Conservatory Screening Materials Deadline: 4 November 2026 / 4 December 2026
Conservatory Final Audition Recordings Deadline: 1 February 2027
Conservatory Notification: by 15 December 2026 for Early Decision; by 1 April 2027 for Regular Decision.
- MFA in Piano Technology Application Deadline: 1 June 2027
Master of Music in Historical Performance Application Deadline: 1 December 2026
Artist Diploma Application Deadline: 1 December 2026
Artist Diploma Screening Materials Deadline: 4 December 2026
Artist Diploma Admission Notification: 1 April 2027.
Location
Oberlin College and Conservatory — Oberlin, Ohio, United States
Additional Details
The BA+BFA in Integrated Arts is a five-year dual-degree program combining a BA in a College of Arts and Sciences major with a BFA in Integrated Arts. Students spend their fifth year in Cleveland with access to studios, rehearsal spaces, theaters, and production facilities.
International applicants should note that Oberlin's financial-aid process is need-aware and that international applicants must address financial-aid requirements during the initial admission cycle. International students who do not request need-based aid at admission cannot apply for that institutional aid later.