Occidental College
PrivateLos Angeles, CA
Occidental College, in Los Angeles, CA, is a private small school, enrolling around 1,877 students. Occidental College is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate near 44%. Its highest-earning reported major is Economics (Social Sciences), where graduates report median earnings of $103,164/year four years out. On-campus housing is mandatory here.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
Where do you stand against Occidental College's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow Occidental College weighs your application
From Occidental College's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Occidental College weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does Occidental College look for in applicants?
Per Occidental College's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates academic GPA, rigor of secondary school record, application essay as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is Occidental College's acceptance rate?
Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA admits approximately 44% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for Occidental College?
Admitted students at Occidental College typically score between 1380–1520 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for Occidental College?
Admitted students at Occidental College typically score between 31–34 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does Occidental College cost?
Occidental College's total cost of attendance is reported at $84,800 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
When is the application deadline for Occidental College?
Occidental College's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.
Does Occidental College require students to live on campus?
Yes -- Occidental College requires students to live in on-campus housing.
Comparing Occidental College against another school?
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