Oxy vs. Amherst

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Amherst College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Oxy vs. Amherst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Amherst? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Oxy ($19,049 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 4.5% lower than at Occidental College ($18,390 vs. $19,252).
• Amherst College is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $4,206 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Amherst than at Occidental College (about $4,206 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Amherst College (75% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 88.4% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($68,591 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Amherst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy or Amherst? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Amherst and Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 90 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Amherst College 1490/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Amherst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Oxy vs. Amherst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Amherst? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $25,400 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $10,677 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($12,975 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($134 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.