Oxy vs. BYU

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brigham Young University is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (35,873 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Brigham Young University is in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Brigham Young University 21:1.

Oxy vs. BYU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or BYU? 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 Brigham Young University than Oxy ($16,694 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 46% lower than at Occidental College ($10,396 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 890.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than BYU (about $59,586 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 890.9% higher at Oxy than at Brigham Young University (about $59,586 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Brigham Young University (75% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 497.9% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($36,400 vs. $6,088).

Oxy vs. BYU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy or BYU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BYU and Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 80 points higher than at BYU (1370).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 30 at BYU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Occidental College 1380/1520; Brigham Young University 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Occidental College 31/34; Brigham Young University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; BYU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; BYU Dec 16, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman BYU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• BYU has a higher acceptance rate (67.8%) than Oxy (44.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 77.5% at BYU.

Oxy vs. BYU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and BYU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Brigham Young University's (78%).
• Graduates from Brigham Young University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,100 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $12,652 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($11,000 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $131 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($113 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BYU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

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.