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Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA·Private·~44% acceptance

Occidental College is a private college based in Los Angeles, CA. It admits about 44% of applicants. The average net price after aid is about $38,263 per year. About 83% of students graduate, and alumni earn a median of about $75,951 ten years after enrolling.

Average cost
$38,263/yr avg net price after aid
Full cost $84,800
Aid cuts ~$46,537/yr on average

Average across all aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take the free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.

Deadlines
ED
Nov 1
EA
Nov 1
RD
Jan 10

ED, EA and RD not confirmed with the college yet. Check their site before you rely on it.

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Your fit

Blueprint scores how well Occidental College matches your grades, budget, and preferences. New to Blueprint? Start with the Discovery quiz to find your best-fit majors first.

Admissions
GPA range3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)1380–1520
ACT (middle 50%)31–34
Test policyTest optional
Programs
Computer Science
Data Science / Statistics
Information Systems / IT
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Environmental Science
Outcomes
83%
graduation rate
90%
freshman retention
$52,209
median earnings, 6yr
$75,951
median earnings, 10yr
How Occidental College reads an application

What Occidental College values

Very important
Course rigorGrades (GPA)Application essays
Important
Class rankRecommendationsExtracurricularsCharacter / personal qualitiesVolunteer workWork experience
Also considered
Test scoresInterviewTalent / abilityFirst-generation statusGeographic residenceDemonstrated interest

From Occidental College’s Common Data Set. Put your effort where it counts most.

What Occidental College requires

Required
Course rigorRecommendationsApplication essaysTOEFL / English proficiency
Considered
Grades (GPA)Class rankCollege-prep programTest scoresDemonstration of competenciesWork experienceAlumni relation (legacy)

From federal IPEDS data — what Occidental College requires vs considers (not how heavily each is weighed).

Frequently asked questions
What is Occidental College's acceptance rate?
Occidental College admits about 44% of applicants.
How much does Occidental College cost?
At Occidental College, the average net price after aid is about $38,263 per year, and the full cost of attendance is about $84,800 per year before aid. Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.
What SAT or ACT scores do you need for Occidental College?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1380–1520 on the SAT and 31–34 on the ACT.
What are Occidental College's application deadlines?
Occidental College's deadlines are Early Decision around Nov 1, Early Action around Nov 1, Regular Decision around Jan 10. Always confirm exact dates on the school's official site.
What does Occidental College value most in applicants?
In its most recent Common Data Set, Occidental College rates Course rigor, Grades (GPA), and Application essays as "very important" in admissions decisions, and also weighs Class rank, Recommendations, Extracurriculars, Character / personal qualities, Volunteer work, and Work experience. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see how your profile lines up.

See if Occidental College is a fit for you

Two free steps: find your best-fit majors with the Discovery quiz, then run the College Matchmaker for your real admission odds and net price at Occidental College, side by side with your other schools.