Oxy vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Oxy vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Dickinson 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 Dickinson College than Oxy ($38,483 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 11.2% lower than at Occidental College ($17,100 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $624 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Oxy than at Dickinson College (about $624 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Occidental College (96% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 22.2% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($44,479 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 60 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Oxy vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Dickinson 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).

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $2,652 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($21,000 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($217 vs. $244).
• More Dickinson College 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.