Oxy vs. Wooster

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Occidental College is larger than Wooster based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,738 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); The College of Wooster is in Wooster, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of Wooster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; The College of Wooster 10:1.

Oxy vs. Wooster Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Wooster? 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 The College of Wooster than Oxy ($28,004 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Wooster are 24.7% lower than at Occidental College ($14,490 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 7.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wooster (about $4,634 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $61,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Oxy than at The College of Wooster (about $4,634 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $61,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Wooster than at Occidental College (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Wooster students is 31% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($47,672 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Wooster Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 110 points higher than at Wooster (1340).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wooster).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; The College of Wooster 1220/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; The College of Wooster 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Wooster - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Wooster Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wooster students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Wooster has a higher acceptance rate (59.5%) than Oxy (44.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 11.4% at Wooster.

Oxy vs. Wooster Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Wooster? 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).

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than The College of Wooster's (75%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Wooster graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Occidental College graduates have a $2,348 lower median loan debt than Wooster graduates ($23,652 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Oxy graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wooster graduates ($244 vs. $268).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wooster students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 76%)

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.