Overview
Los Angeles, CA Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Los Angeles, California. There are currently 1,935 undergraduates at Occidental and the school’s acceptance rate is 39%. The tuition at Occidental is $60,566.
Liberal Arts
City
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$80,636
$43,302
$37,334
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$80,636for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Occidental is $80,636. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any 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
Students who are applying for financial aid at Occidental need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Occidental is 001249 and the CSS Profile Code is 4581.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
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.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarships
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
16% of students at Occidental College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Occidental College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Occidental students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Occidental College Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Occidental or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.oxy.edu/financial-aid
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 323-259-2548
Admissions
39%
32
1387 is the median SAT score and 32 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Occidental. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
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 it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Occidental College?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Occidental College receive between a 31 and a 34 on their ACT, or a 1328 and a 1480 on their SAT.
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Occidental?
Students must apply by January 10 to enroll at Occidental during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Occidental students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 15.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 10.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Occidental?
Applying to Occidental with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
9:1
Graduation Rate
83%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
31%
31% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
12%
12% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
9%
9% of graduates
Psychology
8%
8% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
7%
7% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
5%
5% of graduates
Physical Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
4%
4% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
4%
4% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
3%
3% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Mathematics
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,935
Pell Grant 17%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 1%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 41% / 59%
Ethnic Diversity at Occidental
49% White
17% Hispanic
13% Asian / Pacific Islander
11% Multiracial
5% International / Non-Citizen
4% Black
1% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$75,951
Median Debt $23,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $244
Graduation Rate 83%
What is the graduation rate at Occidental College?
83% of students who start at Occidental College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 25% 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?
10 years after starting school at Occidental College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $75,951. This is $25,560 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Occidental take out in loans?
Graduates of Occidental have to take out a median of $23,000 in federal student loans. This is $9,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our 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.
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