California State University-Long Beach vs Occidental College
California State University-Long Beach is a public university in Long Beach, CA. Occidental College is a private college in Los Angeles, CA. Occidental College admits about 44% of applicants and California State University-Long Beach about 46%, making Occidental College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $10,440 a year at California State University-Long Beach after aid, and about $38,263 at Occidental College. About 83% of students graduate at Occidental College, compared with 69% at California State University-Long Beach. Ten years after enrolling, Occidental College alumni earn a median of about $75,951, against $64,403 for California State University-Long Beach.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
35,924
1,877
Acceptance rate
46%
44%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
~3.66 avg
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1020–1240
1380–1520
ACT (middle 50%)
20–26
31–34
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$10,440
$38,263
Full cost / yr
$22,679
$84,800
In-state tuition
$7,350
$66,274
Out-of-state tuition
$19,950
$66,274
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,183
$20,705
$30k - $48k
$7,831
$17,655
$48k - $75k
$9,705
$21,468
$75k - $110k
$12,630
$28,033
Over $110k
$19,750
$54,959
Outcomes
Graduation rate
69%
83%
Freshman retention
87%
90%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$50,062
$52,209
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,403
$75,951
Median debt at graduation
$14,289
$23,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
50%
17%
First-generation students
49%
18%
International students
2%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Nov 30
Jan 10
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is California State University-Long Beach or Occidental College harder to get into?
- Occidental College is harder to get into. It admits about 44% of applicants, compared with 46% at California State University-Long Beach. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, California State University-Long Beach or Occidental College?
- California State University-Long Beach is cheaper on average. Students pay about $10,440 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $38,263 at Occidental College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at California State University-Long Beach and Occidental College?
- Before aid, California State University-Long Beach costs about $22,679 a year and Occidental College about $84,800. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California State University-Long Beach or Occidental College?
- California State University-Long Beach. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,183 there, against about $20,705 at Occidental College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, California State University-Long Beach or Occidental College?
- California State University-Long Beach is the larger of the two, with about 35,924 undergraduates against 1,877 at Occidental College.
- Does California State University-Long Beach or Occidental College have a better graduation rate?
- Occidental College has the higher graduation rate, at about 83% against 69% at California State University-Long Beach.
- Do graduates of California State University-Long Beach or Occidental College earn more?
- Occidental College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $75,951 ten years after enrolling, against about $64,403 for California State University-Long Beach. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California State University-Long Beach and Occidental College require SAT or ACT scores?
- California State University-Long Beach is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Occidental College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do California State University-Long Beach and Occidental College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1020–1240 at California State University-Long Beach and 1380–1520 at Occidental College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
California State University-Long Beach vs University of California-Los AngelesCalifornia State University-Long Beach vs University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-Long Beach vs University of California-BerkeleyOccidental College vs Pomona CollegeOccidental College vs Claremont McKenna CollegeOccidental College vs Pitzer College
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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