I'm looking at Oberlin College as a potential school, but I'm wondering about the size of their student body. Are they a pretty small liberal arts college or do they have a larger student population? Any insight would be helpful in my decision-making process.
Oberlin College is a small liberal arts college in Ohio, with a focus on providing students with a personalized, intimate educational experience. In recent years, the total undergraduate enrollment at Oberlin has been between 2,800-3,000 students. This number accounts for both the College of Arts and Sciences, which offers a wide range of academic programs, and the highly-regarded Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
For comparison, small liberal arts colleges generally have undergraduate populations ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 students, so Oberlin falls squarely in the middle of this range. With a smaller student body, many students at schools like Oberlin appreciate the close relationship between faculty and students and the tight-knit community on campus. Being in a smaller pond can lead to increased opportunities for mentorship, research opportunities, and personalized academic support.
The school is also large enough that you can find new people to meet throughout your four years, but if you're looking for more hustle and bustle on your college campus, you may want to look into other institutions. Honestly consider what your ideal college experience looks like, to determine if a smaller campus environment is the right fit for you.
Best of luck with your college search!
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