About

About Occidental College

liberal arts collegesmall class sizessocial sciences focustest optional

Occidental College is a private liberal arts college in Los Angeles, CA, known for its liberal arts college, small class sizes, and social sciences focus. With an acceptance rate of 39%, Oxy is selective, typically enrolling around 531 students each year. Oxy is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1400–1510, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Oxy meets 100% of demonstrated financial need; the average net price for families earning under $30,000 is $20,705.

Admissions

Occidental College acceptance rate and admitted student profile

selective

39%
Overall Accept Rate
3.50
Typical Admitted GPA
1455
Median Admitted SAT
GPATypical admitted range: 3.25 – 3.75 unweighted

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SATSubmitted score range: 1400 – 1510 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Occidental College

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Occidental's essays are weighted heavily, so use your writing to show how you would engage with Los Angeles as a learning environment. Admissions readers want to see that you have thought about how the city itself connects to your academic or personal interests.
Essay Strategy
Occidental requires all students to complete its Core Program in the liberal arts, so reference specific Core courses or the interdisciplinary structure in your why Oxy essay to show you have researched the curriculum beyond the surface level.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Occidental College actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Meets 100% of demonstrated need: Occidental College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Occidental College's sticker price of ~$78k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$78k/yr$20.7k
30k-48k~$78k/yr$17.7k
48k-75k~$78k/yr$21.5k
75k-110k~$78k/yr$28.0k
110k+~$78k/yr$55.0k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

85%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$52k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
8:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
2,062
Undergrad Enrollment
Occidental College Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch