Occidental College
About Occidental College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Occidental College is a private liberal arts college in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Selective with a 39% acceptance rate, it offers programs in economics, international relations, biology, and film, with a diverse urban campus near downtown L.A.
Founded
1887
Location
Los Angeles, California
Students
1,877
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
44.2%
Selective
Graduation Rate
80.9%
Above national average
Tuition
$66,274
Per year
Avg Net Price
$38,263
After financial aid
SAT Average
1452
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$75,951
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Very Selective
44.2 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$70
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 10
Occidental College accepts 44.2% of applicants, with admitted students averaging around 1452 on the SAT. If you're near or above that range, you have a strong chance.
SAT Scores
1452/ 1600
ACT Scores
32/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
80.9% complete their degree within six years
Retention
89.9%
4-Year Grad
79%
6-Year Grad
83%
Teaching Quality
9:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
74.5%
$/Student
$24.7K
Class Size
Small
79% graduate in 4 years, and 89.9% of freshmen return for year two. The retention rate suggests students are happy with their experience.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$66,274
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$19,252
Books & Supplies
$1,250
Total Cost of Attendance
$84,800
After Financial Aid
$38,263
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$20,705
Receive Grants
16.6%
Take Loans
37.2%
The total cost of attendance runs about $84,800/yr, including $19,252 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $38,263.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Occidental College fund their education.
While in School
16.6%
Get Grants
Free money
37.2%
Take Loans
Must repay
$76,004
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$23,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$244/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 37.2% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $23,000. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Occidental College.
Gender
58.7%
Female
41%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
1,877
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
17.6%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
0.5%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 59% of the student body. 17.6% are first-generation college students.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Large
Campus Quick Facts
1,877
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Liberal Arts
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Occidental College fields 11 varsity teams with 414 student athletes, about 22% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III without football
Conference
SCIAC
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
11
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
414
22% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
51% / 49%
210
Men
204
Women
8
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Occidental Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$75,951
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Economics
$65K
73 grads
1yr Earnings
Research and Experimental Psychology
—
54 grads
International Relations and National Security Studies
$35K
50 grads
1yr Earnings
Biology, General
$29K
38 grads
1yr Earnings
Computer Science
$64K
31 grads
1yr Earnings
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
—
24 grads
Earnings grow steadily here: $52K at six years, $53K at eight, and $76K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Occidental College
What is the acceptance rate at Occidental College?▾
How much does Occidental College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Occidental College?▾
How much do Occidental College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.