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    Occidental College

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    Overview

    Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Los Angeles, California. There are currently 1,844 undergraduates at Occidental and the school’s acceptance rate is 40%. The tuition at Occidental is $63,446.

    Occidental College
    Liberal Arts Liberal Arts
    A liberal arts college offers a well-rounded education with a strong focus on critical thinking, writing, and discussion-based learning. Students can expect small class sizes, close relationships with professors, and a broad curriculum that encourages exploration across disciplines. These schools are great for students who enjoy interdisciplinary studies or haven’t decided on their major yet.
    11 City
    Colleges in cities offer easy access to jobs, internships, and entertainment. These colleges provide plenty of opportunities but may include higher living costs and a busier environment than other campuses. Some urban schools have traditional campuses, while others blend into the city.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $84,800

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $45,471

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $39,329

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition & Fees
    $63,446
    Books & Supplies
    $1,240
    Room & Board
    $18,284
    Other
    $1,830

    Estimated Cost:

    $84,800

    The sticker price at Occidental is $84,800. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Occidental would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Occidental College Financial Aid

    To apply for financial aid at Occidental you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.


    The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.


    The FAFSA code for Occidental is 001249 and the CSS Profile Code is 4581.


    The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:


    Using State Grants at Occidental

    If you reside in California and are considering Occidental, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.

    National Merit Scholarships

    If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Occidental College? Occidental offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Occidental's website for more information!

    Pell Grants at Occidental College

    15% of students at Occidental College receive Pell Grants.


    The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Occidental. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:


    Occidental College Financial Aid Resources

    For more information about financial aid at Occidental, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions

    40%

    Admission Rate

    32

    Average ACT

    1387

    Average SAT

    Coalition Colleges

    Occidental is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Occidental via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

    Is Occidental test-optional?

    Occidental College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.

    What is the application deadline at Occidental?

    November
    15

    Early Decision I

    January
    10

    Early Decision II

    January
    10

    Regular Decision

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 9:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 85%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Social Sciences

    28%

    28% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    11%

    11% of graduates

    Psychology

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Mathematics

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    3%

    3% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

    2%

    2% of graduates

    History

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 1,844

    Pell Grant 16%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 1%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 0%

    Percent Male / Female 41% / 59%

    Ethnic Diversity at Occidental

    48% White

    17% Hispanic

    13% Asian / Pacific Islander

    11% Multiracial

    4% Black

    4% International / Non-Citizen

    2% Unknown

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $75,951

    Median Debt $23,000

    Debt 10 years after graduation $244

    Graduation Rate 85%

    What is the graduation rate at Occidental College?

    85% of students who start at Occidental College finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 27% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Occidental College go on to earn?

    The median income of students 10 years after starting at Occidental College is $75,951. This is $25,560 more than the national median.


    This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Occidental College who received federal financial aid.


    Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Occidental take out in loans?

    Graduates of Occidental take out a median of $23,000 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    If you represent Occidental College and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.

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