Olin College of Engineering
olin.md
Olin College of Engineering
Admissions (Class of 2029 / Fall 2025)
- Total applicants: ~1,600 (estimated)
- Overall acceptance rate: 22%
- Early round: N/A -- Olin uses a single-round admissions process with a December 15 deadline. All applicants participate in "Candidates' Weekend" (an on-campus interview/collaboration day) as part of the evaluation.
- Class size: ~85
- Yield: ~55%
Academics
- SAT middle 50%: 1480-1560
- ACT middle 50%: 34-35
- Avg unweighted GPA: 3.9
- Top 10% of HS class: ~85% (estimated)
- Testing policy: Test-optional
Demographics
- Women: 48%, White: 40%, Asian: 21%, Hispanic: 10%, Two or More: 9%, Black: 3%, International: ~8%
Financial Aid / Net Cost
| Income Bracket | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $845 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $3,388 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $5,574 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $13,820 |
| Over $110,000 | $41,194 |
Every admitted student receives a half-tuition scholarship (~$31,000/yr). Olin meets full demonstrated financial need for up to 8 semesters. Total COA: ~$87,000/yr. Average net price: $43,184 overall; $25,924 for federal loan recipients. 92% of students receive some financial aid.
Athletics
No varsity athletics program. Olin College does not participate in NCAA or other intercollegiate athletic organizations. With only ~400 students total, the school offers club sports and recreational activities. Students can participate in athletics at nearby Babson College and Wellesley College through a cross-registration partnership.
Notable
Olin College is one of the smallest and most innovative engineering schools in the country, with only ~400 students and no traditional departments. Founded in 1997 with a $460 million endowment from the F.W. Olin Foundation, it was purpose-built to reinvent engineering education. The curriculum is entirely project-based with no lecture-only courses; all students complete a year-long senior capstone project with an industry partner. The unique admissions process includes "Candidates' Weekend," where finalists spend two days on campus participating in collaborative design exercises -- evaluators assess teamwork, creativity, and communication alongside academics. Olin's per-student endowment is among the highest in the nation.
Sources
- Olin College Admissions (olin.edu/admission)
- Olin College Costs & Financial Aid (olin.edu/admission/costs-financial-aid)
- CollegeFactual - Olin College Net Price
- U.S. News - Olin College
- Niche - Olin College Admissions