Oxy vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Hamilton College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,031 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oxy vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College than Oxy ($28,719 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 9% lower than at Occidental College ($17,510 vs. $19,252).
• Hamilton College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $2,686 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Hamilton College than at Occidental College (about $2,686 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Hamilton College (75% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 52.5% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($55,511 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 50 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Oxy vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Hamilton 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $22,400 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $7,892 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($15,760 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($162 vs. $244).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.