Oxy vs. Bates

Comparable Facts

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

Occidental College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Bates College is in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Bates College 9:1.

Oxy vs. Bates Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Bates? 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 Bates College than Oxy ($24,723 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bates College are 2.5% lower than at Occidental College ($18,780 vs. $19,252).
• Bates College is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $316 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Bates than at Occidental College (about $316 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Bates College (75% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 61.6% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($58,809 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Bates Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy or Bates? 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 Bates and Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bates College (1480) is 30 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Oxy students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Bates (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Bates College 1420/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Bates College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Bates - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Bates Jan 1, 2027.
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 36.5% at Bates.

Oxy vs. Bates Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Bates? 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).

• Bates College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $19,100 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $9,202 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($14,450 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($149 vs. $244).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 87%)

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.