Oxy vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Union College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,065 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oxy vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Union 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 Union College than Oxy ($42,137 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 11.6% lower than at Occidental College ($17,010 vs. $19,252).
• Union College is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $2,765 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Union College than at Occidental College (about $2,765 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Occidental College (96% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($42,534 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 50 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oxy students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Oxy vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Union 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).

• Union College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Occidental College graduates have a $3,348 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($23,652 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oxy graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

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.