Oxy vs. Colorado College

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,056 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oxy vs. Colorado College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Colorado 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 Colorado College than Oxy ($36,123 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 16.8% lower than at Occidental College ($16,020 vs. $19,252).
• Colorado College is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $4,460 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at Colorado College than at Occidental College (about $4,460 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Colorado College (75% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 39.7% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($50,834 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Colorado College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 100 points higher than at Colorado College (1350).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Colorado College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Colorado College 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Colorado College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Colorado College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Colorado College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 30.3% at Colorado College.

Oxy vs. Colorado College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Colorado 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).

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $3,152 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($211 vs. $244).
• More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.