Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA · Large city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 44.2%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 6,573
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 2,622
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 532
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 20%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 42%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 37%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 690–750
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 690–770
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 31–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 23% / 13%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $84,800
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $66,274
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $66,274
- Median debt at graduation
- $23,000
- Students with federal loans
- 37%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 81%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 90%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $37,306
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $75,951
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 1,877
- Graduate students
- —
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 9 : 1
- Women
- 59%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 17%
- Full-time faculty
- 75%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Tom Stritikus
- Main phone
- (323) 259-2500
- Address
- 1600 Campus Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90041-3392
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | mid-December |
| Early Action | November 1 | mid-January |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 10 | mid-February |
| Regular Decision | January 10 | mid-March |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir
- Application fee
- Free
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- 1 optional short answer (250 words max)
- Recommendations
- 1 core-subject teacher (grades 10–12); 1 additional optional
- Interview
- evaluative optional
Testing: SAT and ACT scores are completely optional
Financial aid policies
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: Merit scholarships from up to $10,000/year to full cost (Centennial Scholarship)
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need for U.S. citizens, permanent residents and undocumented students; no application fee
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 969 / 297 / 72
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: oxy.edu, oxy.edu, oxy.edu, oxy.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.