Oxy vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Oxy vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College than Oxy ($28,047 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 8.7% lower than at Occidental College ($17,586 vs. $19,252).
• Carleton College is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $2,618 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Carleton College than at Occidental College (about $2,618 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Carleton College (75% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 56.2% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($56,846 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 60 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Oxy vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Carleton College? 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $4,152 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($201 vs. $244).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.