Los 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
Test scores for the Fall 2025 entering class come from Occidental College's own 2025-26 Common Data Set: 25% submitted SAT scores, 8% submitted ACT scores.
Application deadlines for Fall 2027 entry
- Early Decision I: Nov 1, 2026
- Early Action: Nov 1, 2026
- Early Decision II: Jan 10, 2027
- Regular Decision: Jan 10, 2027
Confirm on Occidental College's own admissions site before you apply.
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
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, 2025-26, 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 extracurricular activities, 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?
Per Occidental College's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1400–1510 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
What ACT score do I need for Occidental College?
Per Occidental College's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 31–34 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
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 deadlines are Early Decision I Nov 1, 2026; Early Action Nov 1, 2026; Early Decision II Jan 10, 2027; Regular Decision Jan 10, 2027, 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.
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