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Occidental College

Oxy

Los Angeles, California 90041-3392

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrbanGreek life

Strong graduate outcomes

Occidental College is a private institution in Los Angeles with particular strength in biology and psychology. With an average SAT of 1461, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.8K undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

85% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $75,951 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $39,329.

Established
1887
Motto
Occidens Proximus Orienti
Mascot
Oswald the Tiger
Type
Private liberal arts college
Conference
SCIAC and NCAA Division III
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

40%Acceptance
1461SAT Avg
1,844Students
9:1Student:Faculty
85%Grad Rate
$75,951Earnings 10yr
$39,329Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate39.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1461

Reading & WritingMid: 705
690750
MathMid: 710
670750

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 32
3134

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$63,446
Room & Board$18,284
Books & Supplies$1,240
Total Cost of Attendance$80,636
Average Net Price$39,329
Median Debt at Graduation$23,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$244

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$18,872
$30–48K$18,801
$48–75K$17,577
$75–110K$28,983
$110K+$55,885

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

61.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.9%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

14

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (32)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

87%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
1,844
Gender Split
59% / 41%
Women / Men
First Generation
18%
Pell Grant Recipients
16%

Race & Ethnicity

White 48%
Black 4%
Hispanic 17%
Asian 13%
Two+ 11%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate85.1%
Freshman Retention87.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$52,209
10 Years$75,951

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#34
vs 2024
Forbes
#102
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#46
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

BasketballSwimming

History & Fun Facts

  • 1896 Occidental College was founded on April 20, 1887, by a group of Presbyterian clergy, missionaries, and laymen, including James George Bell, Lyman Stewart, and Thomas Bard.
  • The cornerstone of the school's first building was laid in September 1887 in the Boyle Heights now East Los Angeles neighborhood of Los Angeles.
  • The college's first term began a year later with 27 male and 13 female students, and tuition of $50 a year.
  • In 1896, the Boyle Heights building was destroyed by fire.
  • Vincent's College campus on Hill Street before a new site was selected in Highland Park in 1898.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

163Very High

Estimated from CA state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Los Angelespop. 3.9M
6 mi(10 min)
San Diegopop. 1.4M
115 mi(199 min)
San Franciscopop. 870K
345 mi(598 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

LAX Los Angeles17 mi
SAN San Diego113 mi
LAS Las Vegas219 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2587 mi · ~74h 44m drive
New York, NY2442 mi · ~70h 33m drive
Hartford, CT2506 mi · ~72h 24m drive
Providence, RI2571 mi · ~74h 16m drive
Albany, NY2449 mi · ~70h 45m drive
Syracuse, NY2328 mi · ~67h 15m drive
Rochester, NY2254 mi · ~65h 7m drive
Buffalo, NY2189 mi · ~63h 14m drive
Philadelphia, PA2385 mi · ~68h 54m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2128 mi · ~61h 29m drive
Harrisburg, PA2292 mi · ~66h 13m drive
Newark, NJ2433 mi · ~70h 17m drive
Washington, DC2291 mi · ~66h 11m drive
Baltimore, MD2311 mi · ~66h 46m drive
Atlanta, GA1930 mi · ~55h 45m drive
Charlotte, NC2112 mi · ~61h 1m drive
Raleigh, NC2229 mi · ~64h 24m drive
Miami, FL2334 mi · ~67h 26m drive
Orlando, FL2196 mi · ~63h 26m drive
Tampa, FL2148 mi · ~62h 3m drive
Nashville, TN1774 mi · ~51h 15m drive
New Orleans, LA1668 mi · ~48h 11m drive
Richmond, VA2278 mi · ~65h 49m drive
Chicago, IL1738 mi · ~50h 13m drive
Detroit, MI1975 mi · ~57h 3m drive
Minneapolis, MN1517 mi · ~43h 49m drive
St. Louis, MO1583 mi · ~45h 44m drive
Kansas City, MO1351 mi · ~39h 2m drive
Indianapolis, IN1802 mi · ~52h 3m drive
Columbus, OH1970 mi · ~56h 55m drive
Cleveland, OH2041 mi · ~58h 58m drive
Milwaukee, WI1737 mi · ~50h 11m drive
Dallas, TX1236 mi · ~35h 42m drive
Houston, TX1370 mi · ~39h 35m drive
Austin, TX1224 mi · ~35h 22m drive
San Antonio, TX1201 mi · ~34h 42m drive
Los Angeles, CA6 mi · ~10 min drive
San Francisco, CA345 mi · ~9h 58m drive
San Diego, CA115 mi · ~3h 19m drive
Seattle, WA956 mi · ~27h 37m drive
Portland, OR821 mi · ~23h 43m drive
Denver, CO826 mi · ~23h 52m drive
Phoenix, AZ355 mi · ~10h 15m drive
Salt Lake City, UT574 mi · ~16h 35m drive
Honolulu, HI2563 mi · ~74h 3m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Occidental College Application Checklist

Decision Notifications