Oxy vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Denison University in Granville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Denison University is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,394 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Denison University 9:1.

Oxy vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Denison? 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 Denison University than Oxy ($43,721 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 14.8% lower than at Occidental College ($16,400 vs. $19,252).
• Denison University is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $726 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Denison than at Occidental College (about $726 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Occidental College (94% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Denison University students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($38,179 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Denison Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 40 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Denison students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Oxy vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Denison? 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).

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Occidental College graduates have a $2,348 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($23,652 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Oxy graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($244 vs. $268).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

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.