Oxy vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Oxy vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Stanford? 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 Stanford University than Oxy ($25,078 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 9.7% lower than at Stanford University ($19,252 vs. $21,315).
• Occidental College is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stanford (about $364 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Oxy than at Stanford University (about $364 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Stanford University (75% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 72.4% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($62,755 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 100 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Stanford 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; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Oxy vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $66,300 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $11,177 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($12,475 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($128 vs. $244).
• More Stanford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.