Oxy vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

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

Occidental College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oxy vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Grinnell? 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 Grinnell College than Oxy ($34,363 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 12.5% lower than at Occidental College ($16,842 vs. $19,252).
• Grinnell College is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $1,832 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Grinnell than at Occidental College (about $1,832 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Occidental College (94% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 34.8% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($49,077 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 30 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Oxy students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Grinnell (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Oxy vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Grinnell? 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).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $10,482 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($13,170 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($136 vs. $244).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.