Oxy vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Oxy vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Lafayette 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 Lafayette College than Oxy ($38,442 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 3.1% lower than at Lafayette College ($19,252 vs. $19,866).
• Occidental College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $876 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Oxy than at Lafayette College (about $876 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Lafayette College (75% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 22.8% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($44,707 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 20 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Oxy students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Lafayette College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oxy students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Oxy vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Lafayette 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $24,400 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Occidental College graduates have a $2,348 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($23,652 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Oxy graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($244 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.