Oxy vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oxy vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley College than Oxy ($22,174 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 8.4% lower than at Wellesley College ($19,252 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $902 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Wellesley than at Occidental College (about $902 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Wellesley College (75% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 76.1% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($64,116 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 60 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Wellesley 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; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley 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 Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Oxy vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Wellesley? 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $14,752 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($8,900 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $152 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($92 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley 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.