Oxy vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Occidental College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Oxy vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Whitman College? 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 Whitman College than Oxy ($37,633 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 21.7% lower than at Occidental College ($15,080 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $2,224 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Oxy than at Whitman College (about $2,224 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Occidental College (94% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($40,489 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 50 points higher than at Whitman College (1400).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Whitman College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whitman College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Oxy vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Whitman College? 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $6,152 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($17,500 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($180 vs. $244).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (93% vs. 87%)

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.