Occidental CollegeOccidental College
Los Angeles, CA · West
- Acceptance rate
- 44.2%
- SAT mid-50
- 1380-1520
- Cost after aid
- $38,263
- Graduation rate
- 81%
What Occidental College says matters
How Occidental College rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.
- Acceptance rate
- 44%
- 2,854 of 6,461
- SAT mid-50
- 1400-1495
- ACT mid-50
- 31-34
- CDS year
- 2024-25
Acceptance rate by gender
- Men
- 41%1,052 of 2,580
- Women
- 47%1,730 of 3,672
The full Common Data Set
Every figure Occidental College published for 2024-25, section by section.
First-Time, First-Year Admission69
Applications
- Total first-time, first-year men who applied
- 2,580
- Total first-time, first-year women who applied
- 3,672
- Total first-time, first-year another gender who applied
- 209
- Total first-time, first-year unknown gender who applied
- 0
- Total first-time, first-year men who were admitted
- 1,052
- Total first-time, first-year women who were admitted
- 1,730
- Total first-time, first-year another gender who were admitted
- 72
- Total first-time, first-year unknown gender who were admitted
- 0
- Total first-time, first-year students who applied
- 6,461
- Total first-time, first-year students who were admitted
- 2,854
Wait List
- Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list:
- 1,238
- Number accepting a place on the waiting list:
- 437
- Number of wait-listed students admitted:
- 71
Admissions Requirements
- English
- 4
- Mathematics
- 4
First-time, first-year Profile
- Submitting SAT Scores
- 0.2
- Submitting ACT Scores
- 0.08
- Submitting SAT Scores
- 101
- Submitting ACT Scores
- 41
- SAT Composite: 25th Percentile
- 1,400
- SAT Composite: 50th Percentile
- 1,440
- SAT Composite: 75th Percentile
- 1,495
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 25th Percentile
- 690
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 50th Percentile
- 720
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 75th Percentile
- 750
- SAT Math: 25th Percentile
- 690
- SAT Math: 50th Percentile
- 720
- SAT Math: 75th Percentile
- 770
- ACT Composite: 25th Percentile
- 31%
- ACT Composite: 50th Percentile
- 33%
- ACT Composite: 75th Percentile
- 34%
- ACT Math: 25th Percentile
- 28%
- ACT Math: 50th Percentile
- 20%
- ACT Math: 75th Percentile
- 33%
- ACT English: 25th Percentile
- 33%
- ACT English: 50th Percentile
- 34%
- ACT English: 75th Percentile
- 35%
- SAT Composite: 1400-1600
- 74
- SAT Composite: 1200-1399
- 26
- SAT Composite: 400-599
- 100
- ACT Composite: 30-36
- 98
- ACT Composite: 24-29
- 2
- ACT Composite: Total
- 100
- Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class
- 49%
- Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class
- 79%
- Percent in top half of high school graduating class
- 96%
- Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class
- 4.0%
- Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school class rank:
- 23%
- Percent who had GPA of 4.0
- 13%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99
- 26%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74
- 33%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
- 18%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24
- 5.0%
- Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99
- 4.0%
- Percent who had GPA of 4.0
- 4.0%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99
- 32%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74
- 31%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
- 21%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24
- 9.0%
- Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99
- 2.0%
- Percent who had GPA of 4.0
- 6.0%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99
- 30%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74
- 32%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
- 21%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24
- 8.0%
- Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99
- 3.0%
- Average high school GPA of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year students who submitted GPA:
- 3.85
Admission Policies
- Application closing date (fall)
- 1
- Priority Date
- 10
Transfer Admission13
Fall Applicants
- Men
- 188
- Women
- 250
- Another Gender
- 4
- Unknown
- 442
- Total
- 59
- Men
- 83
- Women
- 3
- Another Gender
- 145
- Unknown
- 23
- Total
- 18
- Men
- 2
- Women
- 43
Application for Admission
- Interview
- Not Required
Annual Expenses22
Information
- Please provide the URL of your institution’s net price calculator:
- https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/occidental
Private Tuition
- Tuition
- 65678
- Tuition
- 65678
All Institutions Expenses
- Food and housing (on-campus):
- 19252
- Housing Only (on-campus):
- 10958
- Food Only (on-campus meal plan):
- 8294
- Food and housing (on-campus):
- 19252
- Housing Only (on-campus):
- 10958
- Food Only (on-campus meal plan):
- 8294
Credits per Term
- Minimum
- 20
Tuition Policies
- Do tuition and fees vary by year of study (e.g., sophomore, junior, senior)?
- No
- Do tuition and fees vary by undergraduate instructional program?
- No
Estimated Expenses
- Books and supplies:
- 1250
- Transportation:
- 0
- Other expenses:
- 1880
- Books and supplies:
- 1250
- Transportation
- 0
- Other expenses:
- 1880
- Books and supplies:
- 1250
- Food and housing total*
- 15574
- Transportation:
- 0
- Other expenses:
- 1880
Financial Aid77
Students Awarded Non-need-based Aid
- N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits)
- 139
- O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n
- 15,548
- P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant
- 0
- Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p
- 0
- N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits)
- 352
- O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n
- 16,567
- P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant
- 0
- Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p
- 0
- N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits)
- 3
- O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n
- 3,790
- P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant
- 0
- Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p
- 0
Reporting Year
- 2024-2025
- 2024-2025 estimated
Need-based Aid Awarded
- Parent Loans
- 0
- Athletic Awards
- 0
Non-need-based Aid Awarded
- Federal
- 0
- Parent Loans
- 0
Students Awarded Aid
- A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort)
- 532
- B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid
- 364
- C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need
- 263
- D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid
- 262
- E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 260
- F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid
- 200
- G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 190
- H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 262
- I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 100%
- J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 56806
- K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e
- 50784
- L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f
- 7421
- M. Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan
- 4341
- A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort)
- 1,910
- B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid
- 1,194
- C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need
- 954
- D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid
- 952
- E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 945
- F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid
- 791
- G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 627
- H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 952
- I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 100%
- J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 55946
- K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e
- 48208
- L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f
- 8412
- M. Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan
- 5584
- A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort)
- 28
- B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid
- 5
- C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need
- 3
- D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid
- 3
- E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 3
- F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid
- 3
- G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 1
- H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 3
- I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 100%
- J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 44306
- K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e
- 38055
- L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f
- 6251
- M. Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan
- 3685
Aid to Nonresidents
- Institutional need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
- X
- Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
- X
Financial Aid Forms
- FAFSA
- X
- CSS PROFILE
- X
- State aid form
- X
- Other (specify):
- X
Financial Aid Deadlines
- Priority date for filing required financial aid forms:
- X
- Deadline for filing required financial aid forms:
- 1
- No deadline for filing required forms (applications processed on a rolling basis)
- 10
Financial Aid Reply
- Students must reply by (date):
- 5
- or within____weeks of notification.
- 1
Aid Available
- College/university loans from institutional funds
- X
- Federal Pell Grants
- X
- State scholarships/grants
- X
- Private scholarships
- X
- College/university scholarship or grant aid from institutional funds
- X
Institutional Aid
- Academics
- X
- Leadership
- X
- Music/drama
- X
- State/district residency
- X
- If your institution has recently implemented any major financial aid policy, program, or initiative to make your institution more affordable to incoming students such as replacing loans with grants, or waiving costs for families below a certain income level please provide details:
- Are these policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic? Yes No
Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred25
Diploma/Certificates
- Natural resources and conservation
- 14
- Area, ethnic, and gender studies
- 13
- Computer and information sciences
- 27
- English
- 15
- Biological/life sciences
- 53
- Mathematics and statistics
- 13
- Parks and recreation
- 10
- Philosophy and religious studies
- 12
- Psychology
- 31
- Social sciences
- 97
- Visual and performing arts
- 65
- History
- 7
Bachelors
- Natural resources and conservation
- 3
- Area, ethnic, and gender studies
- 3
- Computer and information sciences
- 6
- English
- 3
- Biological/life sciences
- 12
- Mathematics and statistics
- 3
- Military science and military technologies
- 28
- Parks and recreation
- 2
- Philosophy and religious studies
- 2
- Psychology
- 7
- Social sciences
- 22
- Visual and performing arts
- 15
- History
- 2
Enrollment And Persistence59
Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category
- Nonresidents
- 30
- Hispanic/Latino
- 90
- Black or African American, non-Hispanic
- 27
- White, non-Hispanic
- 217
- American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
- 2
- Asian, non-Hispanic
- 99
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
- 1
- Two or more races, non-Hispanic
- 42
- Race and/or ethnicity unknown
- 1
- TOTAL
- 509
- Hispanic/Latino
- 331
- Black or African American, non-Hispanic
- 83
- White, non-Hispanic
- 856
- American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
- 4
- Asian, non-Hispanic
- 302
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
- 3
- Two or more races, non-Hispanic
- 184
- Race and/or ethnicity unknown
- 21
- TOTAL
- 1,877
- Hispanic/Latino
- 331
- Black or African American, non-Hispanic
- 83
- White, non-Hispanic
- 856
- American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
- 4
- Asian, non-Hispanic
- 302
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
- 3
- Two or more races, non-Hispanic
- 184
- Race and/or ethnicity unknown
- 21
- TOTAL
- 1,881
Graduation Rates
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 532
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 1,910
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 28
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 364
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 1,194
- Total
- 5
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 263
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 954
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 3
- Total
- 565
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 262
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 952
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 3
- Total
- 383
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 260
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 945
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 3
- Total
- 70
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 200
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 791
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 3
- Total
- 4
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 190
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 627
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 1
- Total
- 457
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 262
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 952
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 3
- Total
- 80.9
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 80
About Occidental College
Occidental College is a very small private university in Los Angeles, CA, in a city setting.
What Occidental College looks for
Occidental College admits the majority of applicants who meet its baseline academic profile. For most students applying here, the work is in writing applications that reflect real fit rather than treating the application as a checklist. Demonstrated interest matters more here than at the most selective schools. Visiting, attending an info session, and asking real questions of admissions all move the needle.
Frequently asked
What SAT score do I need for Occidental College?
Occidental College's middle 50% SAT range is 1380 to 1520. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.
What ACT score do I need for Occidental College?
Middle 50% ACT range is 31 to 34. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.
What is the acceptance rate at Occidental College?
Occidental College admits roughly 44% of applicants. An acceptance rate above 40% means a strong application can land here without high-end stats.
What does Occidental College actually cost after financial aid?
Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $38,263 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.
Is Occidental College a reach, match, or safety for me?
Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat Occidental College as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.
