Occidental College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Occidental College is a private institution located in Los Angeles, California with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Occidental College admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 45%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1460 and an ACT composite around 32. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $38,263 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Occidental College?

72% of enrolled students at Occidental College had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What does Occidental College weight in admissions?

Occidental College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores Occidental College typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 690–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 705. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does Occidental College actually cost?

Published tuition is $66,274 for in-state students and $66,274 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,252 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $38,263 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for Occidental College

Will my child graduate from Occidental College?

These predict outcomes at Occidental College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at Occidental College

The most popular undergraduate programs at Occidental College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, International Relations and National Security Studies and Biology, General. Across all programs, Occidental College confers roughly 321 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $80,191 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is Occidental College safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Occidental College disclosed 7 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at Occidental College?

About 82% of undergraduates at Occidental College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in California parents ask about

• Loyola Marymount University
  45% acceptance
• Santa Clara University
  48% acceptance
• University of the Pacific
  71% acceptance
• University of San Diego
  52% acceptance
• University of San Francisco
  62% acceptance
• Pepperdine University
  63% acceptance
• Chapman University
  65% acceptance
• Saint Mary's College of California
  87% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about Occidental College