Oxy vs. BYU

Occidental College and Brigham Young University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Occidental College
Brigham Young University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Oxy (44.2% admitted vs 67.8%). Typical SAT 1450 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: BYU. Average net price is $16,694 vs $48,400 at Oxy.
  • Graduation: Oxy 83% vs BYU 78%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Oxy $56,600 vs BYU $69,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Occidental College Brigham Young University
Acceptance rate
Oxy more selective
Oxy44.2%
BYU67.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Oxy higher
Oxy1380-1520
BYU1270-1460
Average net price
BYU $31,706 less
Oxy$48,400
BYU$16,694
In-state tuition
BYU $59,586 less
Oxy$66,274
BYU$6,688
Out-of-state tuition
BYU $59,586 less
Oxy$66,274
BYU$6,688
Graduation rate
Oxy +5 pts
Oxy83%
BYU78%
Median earnings (10 years)
BYU +$12,500
Oxy$56,600
BYU$69,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Oxy and BYU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Oxy Check my chances at BYU
  • Applied
  • Oxy 6,461
  • BYU 11,698
  • Admitted
  • Oxy 2,854
  • BYU 7,929
  • Acceptance rate
  • Oxy 44.2%
  • BYU 67.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Oxy 17.8%
  • BYU 77.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Oxy 1450
  • BYU 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • Oxy 32
  • BYU 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Oxy 3.63
  • BYU 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Oxy A-
  • BYU A
  • Admissions standards
  • Oxy Exceptional
  • BYU Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Oxy Low
  • BYU Low
  • SAT range
  • Oxy 1380-1520
  • BYU 1270-1460
  • ACT range
  • Oxy 31-34
  • BYU 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Oxy Test optional
  • BYU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Oxy Jan 10, 2027
  • BYU Dec 16, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Oxy $66,274
  • BYU $6,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Oxy $66,274
  • BYU $6,688
  • Room & board
  • Oxy $19,252
  • BYU $10,396
  • Average net price
  • Oxy $48,400
  • BYU $16,694
  • Average grant aid
  • Oxy $36,400
  • BYU $6,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Oxy 75%
  • BYU 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • Oxy 83%
  • BYU 78%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Oxy $56,600
  • BYU $69,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Oxy 87%
  • BYU 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Oxy $23,652
  • BYU $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Oxy $244
  • BYU $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Oxy 9:1
  • BYU 21:1
  • Popular majors
  • Oxy
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
  • BYU
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Oxy Los Angeles, CA
  • BYU Provo, UT
  • Setting
  • Oxy Large City
  • BYU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Oxy 1,881
  • BYU 35,873
  • Type
  • Oxy Private 4 Year
  • BYU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Oxy #75
  • BYU #131

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Brigham Young University is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (35,873 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Brigham Young University is in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting).
  • Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Brigham Young University 21:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 46% lower than at Occidental College ($10,396 vs. $19,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 890.9% higher at Oxy than at Brigham Young University (about $59,586 more per year; $66,274 vs. $6,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Brigham Young University (75% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 497.9% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($36,400 vs. $6,088).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Oxy than at BYU (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Oxy and BYU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; BYU Dec 16, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BYU average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at Oxy (3.63).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 77.5% at BYU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $12,652 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($11,000 vs. $23,652).
  • Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $131 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($113 vs. $244).
  • More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BYU students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 80%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Occidental College
Brigham Young University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges