Oxy vs. Amherst

Occidental College and Amherst College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Occidental College
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 44.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1450.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $48,400 at Oxy.
  • Graduation: Oxy 83% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Oxy $56,600 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

Occidental College Amherst College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Oxy44.2%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Oxy1380-1520
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
Amherst $29,351 less
Oxy$48,400
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
Oxy $4,206 less
Oxy$66,274
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
Oxy $4,206 less
Oxy$66,274
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Amherst +13 pts
Oxy83%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$25,400
Oxy$56,600
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Oxy 6,461
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • Oxy 2,854
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • Oxy 44.2%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Oxy 17.8%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Oxy 1450
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Oxy 32
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Oxy 3.63
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Oxy A-
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • Oxy Exceptional
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Oxy Low
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Oxy 1380-1520
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • Oxy 31-34
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Oxy Test optional
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Oxy Jan 10, 2027
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Oxy $66,274
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Oxy $66,274
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • Oxy $19,252
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • Oxy $48,400
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • Oxy $36,400
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Oxy 75%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Oxy 83%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Oxy $56,600
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Oxy 87%
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Oxy $23,652
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • Oxy $244
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Oxy 9:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Oxy
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Oxy Los Angeles, CA
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • Oxy Large City
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Oxy 1,881
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • Oxy Private 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Oxy #75
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

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

Amherst College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 4.5% lower than at Occidental College ($18,390 vs. $19,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Amherst than at Occidental College (about $4,206 more per year; $70,480 vs. $66,274).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Amherst College (75% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 88.4% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($68,591 vs. $36,400).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Amherst than at Oxy (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Oxy and Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at Oxy (3.63).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $10,677 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($12,975 vs. $23,652).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($134 vs. $244).
  • More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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