<p>Looking at both colleges, wondering which is better?</p>
<p>Oberlin and Grinnell are different. Among the most obvious differences are location, size and the fact that Oberlin has a music conservatory. Grinnell has more endowment per student. But both are excellent Liberal Arts Colleges, with more similarities than differences. You are going to have to be much more specific in what you mean by better, and even then there will probably not be a simple answer.</p>
<p>FWIW, my daughter did not apply to Grinnell because she thought it was too small and too isolated for her taste. We lived in the midwest and had occasion to drive past Grinnell a few times, and that's what led to her conclusion. Oberlin is quite a bit larger, I believe, and though its location is also not exactly midtown Manhattan it is 40 minutes from Cleveland, which can be an asset in theory at least.</p>
<p>This was just her though; clearly there are people who prefer Grinnell. </p>
<p>Usually when I see Grinnell menrtioned, I see references to their per student endowment and consequent very generous financial aid packages. My sense is that plays a role in its appeal for a portion of its applicants. Not that this is all the place has going for it or anything, by any means; it's just that it seems to be a particular strength.</p>
<p>I'm sure there are curricular individual strengths and weaknesses. I suggest looking at the breadth and depth of courses actually being offered in particular areas of interest. This can be important for LACs, particularly as they get very small.</p>