Oxy vs. Davidson

Comparable Facts

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

Occidental College is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oxy vs. Davidson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Davidson? 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 Davidson College than Oxy ($27,720 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davidson College are 11.2% lower than at Occidental College ($17,100 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $1,864 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Oxy than at Davidson College (about $1,864 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Davidson College (75% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 42.2% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($51,755 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Davidson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 20 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Oxy students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Davidson (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Davidson College 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Davidson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Davidson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

Oxy vs. Davidson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Davidson? 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).

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $6,652 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($175 vs. $244).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.