Oxy vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

Occidental College is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Oxy vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Westmont 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 Westmont College than Oxy ($32,172 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 11.9% lower than at Occidental College ($16,960 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 23.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $12,690 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.7% higher at Oxy than at Westmont College (about $12,690 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Occidental College (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 7% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($38,956 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 100 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oxy students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Oxy (44.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Oxy vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Westmont 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).

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Occidental College graduates have a $1,471 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($23,652 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, Oxy graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($244 vs. $259).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Westmont 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.