UCLA vs. Oxy

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Los Angeles is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Occidental College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Los Angeles 20:1; Occidental College 9:1.

UCLA vs. Oxy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA or Oxy? 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 California Los Angeles than Oxy ($14,512 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Los Angeles are 4.6% lower than at Occidental College ($18,369 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 335.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $51,071 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at Oxy than at University of California Los Angeles (about $16,871 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at University of California Los Angeles (75% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 42% larger than aid received by University of California Los Angeles students ($36,400 vs. $25,627).

UCLA vs. Oxy Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 30 points higher than at UCLA (1420).
• Incoming UCLA students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Oxy (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530; Occidental College 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; Occidental College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Oxy - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026; Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 17.8% at Oxy.

UCLA vs. Oxy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA and Oxy? 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 California Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $7,352 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($16,300 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($168 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCLA students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 78%)

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.