UC Berkeley vs. Oxy

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Occidental College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Occidental College 9:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Oxy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Oxy? 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 University of California Berkeley than Oxy ($16,538 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 18.9% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($19,252 vs. $23,750).
• Occidental College is 305.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $49,927 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.1% higher at Oxy than at University of California Berkeley (about $15,727 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at University of California Berkeley (75% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 22.9% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($36,400 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. Oxy Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 30 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Oxy (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Occidental College 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Occidental College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Oxy - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 17.8% at Oxy.

UC Berkeley vs. Oxy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Oxy? 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).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $18,100 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $9,452 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($14,200 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($146 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.