Oxy vs. MHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Holyoke College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Mount Holyoke College is in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Mount Holyoke College 9:1.

Oxy vs. MHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or MHC? 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 Mount Holyoke College than Oxy ($32,526 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 2.2% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($19,252 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $744 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at MHC than at Occidental College (about $744 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Occidental College (77% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 44% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($52,418 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. MHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 10 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming MHC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Mount Holyoke College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; MHC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; MHC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC 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 MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 27.2% at MHC.

Oxy vs. MHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and MHC? 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).

• Mount Holyoke College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $2,446 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($21,206 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($219 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 77%)

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.