Oxy vs. Wheaton College

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oxy vs. Wheaton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Wheaton 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 Wheaton College than Oxy ($31,356 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 32.4% lower than at Occidental College ($13,010 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 45.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $20,728 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.5% higher at Oxy than at Wheaton College (about $20,728 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Occidental College (98% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 30.1% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($36,400 vs. $27,987).

Oxy vs. Wheaton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 80 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Wheaton College 1260/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Wheaton College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Wheaton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Oxy (44.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 29.9% at Wheaton College.

Oxy vs. Wheaton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Wheaton 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $1,152 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($232 vs. $244).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.