UCSD vs. Oxy

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Occidental College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; Occidental College 9:1.

UCSD vs. Oxy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than Oxy ($14,047 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 1.5% lower than at Occidental College ($18,970 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 295.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $49,516 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.1% higher at Oxy than at University of California San Diego (about $15,316 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at University of California San Diego (75% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 41.3% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($36,400 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. Oxy Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 70 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Occidental College 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Occidental College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Oxy - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 17.8% at Oxy.

UCSD vs. Oxy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $5,152 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($18,500 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($191 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSD students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

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.