Occidental College, established in 1887 in Los Angeles, is a highly selective liberal arts college known for its urban location and commitment to equity. Occidental's 120-acre campus in Eagle Rock features Mediterranean-style architecture and state-of-the-art facilities like the Moore Laboratory of Zoology. The college's interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes global engagement, with signature programs in diplomacy and world affairs, urban environmental policy, and critical theory. With a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, Occidental fosters close mentorship, with 60% of students conducting research with faculty. The college's location provides access to internships at major cultural institutions and corporations across L.A. Notable alumni include President Barack Obama, whose time at Occidental helped shape his worldview. Recent initiatives include the $200 million Oxy Campaign for Good, expanding access and strengthening academic programs.
Occidental College Acceptance Rate
Occidental College is a well-known institution with a selective admissions process. With an acceptance rate of 39.89%, successful applicants typically show strong performance across both academic and personal categories.
Admissions Guidelines
- Selective Enrollment: Applicants need a solid GPA and proof of academic growth.
- Holistic Balance: Strong recommendations and community involvement are highly valued.
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem .
Occidental College Admission Requirements
Occidental College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at Occidental College is 3.63. Occidental College is highly selective.
Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
If your GPA is between 3.33 and 3.63, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.
Occidental College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Admissions at Occidental College utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.63, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
| Candidate GPA Range | Admission Category | Strategic Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 3.63 – 4.00 | Target/Match | Maintain Rigor & High Testing |
| 3.43 – 3.62 | Competitive Match | Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation |
| 3.23 – 3.42 | Secondary Reach | Personal Statement & Impact |
| Below 3.22 | Institutional Reach | Requires Significant Contextual Factors |
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- The Rigor Metric: At Occidental College, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Calculated via College Portal’s Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards.
Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Occidental College SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. For the 2026 academic cycle, the landscape of standardized testing has shifted back toward Test-Required policies at the majority of highly selective and Ivy+ institutions. Following a multi-year "Test-Optional" pilot, data-driven results have led universities like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and the University of Texas at Austin to reinstate the SAT and ACT as mandatory components of the application.
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2025 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Occidental College Average SAT Score: 1461
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Occidental College is 1461 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it very Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do very well to score 1461 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1500 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Occidental College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1360, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to Occidental College. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 710 | 670 | 750 |
| SAT Reading | 720 | 690 | 750 |
| SAT Composite | 1461 | 1360 | 1500 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1360 then you are below most of the admitted students at Occidental College and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1500 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450
Can I get into Occidental College with a 1500 SAT?
With a 1500 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Occidental College are good but the admission staff at Occidental College tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Occidental College ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Occidental College is 33.
ACT Competitiveness
This score makes Occidental College very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 33 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 31 | 28 | 33 |
| ACT English | 34 | 32 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 31 | 34 |
Can I get into Occidental College with a 34 ACT?
With a 34 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Occidental College are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 33.Occidental College Profile
Name: Occidental College
City: Los Angeles
URL: https://www.oxy.edu/
State: California
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 90041-3392
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
How much does a degree from Occidental College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Occidental College is USD: 80636. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Occidental College is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
15.95% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 38.75 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Occidental College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Occidental College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Occidental College as your choice in the form.
How much a Occidental College Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 75951. An average Occidental College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Occidental College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara University, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado College | Colorado College, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Connecticut College | Connecticut College, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| George Washington University | George Washington University, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| University of Miami | University of Miami, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | Tulane University of Louisiana, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Bates College | Bates College, ME | 1446 | 32 |
| Babson College | Babson College, MA | 1435 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Occidental College. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland-College Park | University of Maryland-College Park, MD | 1463 | 34 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC | 1454 | 32 |
| Wake Forest University | Wake Forest University, NC | 1469 | 33 |
| Villanova University | Villanova University, PA | 1466 | 33 |
| William & Mary | William & Mary, VA | 1458 | 33 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Occidental College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont McKenna College, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Harvey Mudd College | Harvey Mudd College, CA | 1537 | 35 |
| Pomona College | Pomona College, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| University of Southern California | University of Southern California, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Wesleyan University, CT | 1513 | 34 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Area Studies
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biology, General
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Computer Science
- Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Economics
Frequently Asked Questions About Occidental College Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $75951 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
Question: What is the tuition fee?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $80636 or more per year for out-of-state students, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship ?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are good, with about a 50-80% chance. Scholarships are competitive but achievable if you meet the criteria.
Question: What is the acceptance rate?
Answer: The acceptance rate of Occidental College is 39.89 which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: What is the average GPA of admitted students?
Answer: The average GPA of admitted students is 3.63. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
Question: What is the minimum GPA required for admission?
Answer: While there is no single 'cutoff' that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.33, you're in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.33, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
Question: What are my chances with a 3.33 GPA?
Answer: If your GPA is 3.23 or less, it may makes admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
Question: Can I apply to Occidental College if my GPA is below 3.23
Answer: While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.63, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Question: How competitive is the SAT score requirement
Answer: Admission to Occidental College is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1461 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1360-1500
Question: Is it possible to transfer from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting Admissions?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by Occidental College.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2025, US Department of Education's latest 2025 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.