Oxy vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oxy vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or USC? 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 Southern California than Oxy ($43,412 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 3.4% lower than at University of Southern California ($19,252 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $5,823 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.8% higher at USC than at Occidental College (about $5,823 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at University of Southern California (75% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 28.8% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($46,897 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 50 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming USC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 43.3% at USC.

Oxy vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and USC? 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 Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $28,900 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern California graduates have a $1,277 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($22,375 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, USC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($231 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 81%)

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.