Costs and Paid Services
Oberlin College, a renowned liberal arts institution, offers a variety of housing and meal plan options for its students. While the exact costs for all options in the upcoming academic year, 2024-2025, are not explicitly stated, we've gathered some key information to help you understand the general costs and what to expect.
For students residing in the College's residence halls, the cost per semester is $4985.00. This fee varies depending on the room type, with options ranging from singles to doubles and suites. It's worth noting that Oberlin recently opened a new residence hall featuring four-person suites.
As for meal plans, Oberlin offers several dining options, with changes noted for 2025–26. The cost for a semester can range between approximately $4,000 to $6,000 or more annually, depending on the plan's flexibility and the number of meals provided each week.
The college also offers student cooperative housing through the Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA). This student-run housing option is generally more affordable, as students are responsible for cooking, buying, and administering dining themselves. The exact costs for OSCA housing are not specified, but they are likely to be significantly lower.
In addition to the base housing and meal plan costs, there may be standard student fees (such as technology and activities fees) and optional charges like microfridge rentals, room outfitting, or care packages. More details on these additional fees can be found on the Office of Residence Life's website.
When it comes to special circumstances, charges for students who leave the housing and dining program are billed at a rate of 10% of the semester charge for each week or fraction thereof in residence. No refund is given after the ninth week of the semester. The Late Stay Fee at Oberlin College is $84 per night, including dining, while the Early Arrival Fee is also $84 per night, including dining.
Winter Housing fees per night with dining are $84, but without dining, they drop to $42. It's important to note that Winter Housing fees are waived for students registered for Winter Term or sponsored by a department.
For the Summer 2026 Housing Fee, the cost is yet to be determined.
Lastly, the GoYeo Meal Plan and the Gold Meal Plan are available for students who have completed six or more semesters. The GoYeo Meal Plan includes meal swipes, $200 in flex dollars, and costs $5063.00 per semester, while the Gold Meal Plan includes meal swipes, $600 in flex dollars, and costs the same per semester.
For the most accurate and detailed information on the total cost for housing and meal plans in the 2024-2025 academic year, we recommend reaching out to the Oberlin College Office of Residence Life or visiting the college's official cost of attendance page.
- To help manage the costs of living, students at Oberlin College may opt for the student-run housing option, the Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA), which is likely to be significantly cheaper than the College's residence halls, offered at a fee that is not explicitly stated but is generally more affordable due to students handling their dining expenses.
- As students progress through their academics, they gain access to more extensive meal plans, such as the GoYeo Meal Plan and the Gold Meal Plan, which are available for students who have completed six or more semesters. The GoYeo Meal Plan, costing $5063.00 per semester, includes meal swipes and $200 in flex dollars, while the Gold Meal Plan, costing the same per semester, includes meal swipes and $600 in flex dollars, demonstrating an increase in financial resources for education-and-self-development activities.
