Oxy vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

Occidental College is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Whittier College 8:1.

Oxy vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Whittier 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 Whittier College than Oxy ($28,101 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 11.3% lower than at Occidental College ($17,082 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 29.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whittier College (about $14,924 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $51,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at Oxy than at Whittier College (about $14,924 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $51,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at Occidental College (99% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 0.6% larger than aid received by Whittier College students ($36,400 vs. $36,176).

Oxy vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 210 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Whittier College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oxy students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Oxy (44.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

Oxy vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Whittier 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 Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Occidental College graduates have a $1,848 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($23,652 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Oxy graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($244 vs. $263).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 69%)

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.