Oxy vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Oxy vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than Oxy ($29,981 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 5.3% lower than at Occidental College ($18,240 vs. $19,252).
• Vassar College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $4,756 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Vassar than at Occidental College (about $4,756 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Vassar College (75% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 57.8% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($57,443 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 50 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Vassar 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Oxy vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $7,872 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($15,780 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($163 vs. $244).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.