More selective than 74% of California colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
23% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 13% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Occidental College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Occidental College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Occidental College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 690 | 750 |
| SAT math | 690 | 770 |
| ACT composite | 31 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1380 | 1520 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Occidental College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 44% | 690–750 | 690–770 | 31–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 40% | 690–750 | 670–750 | 31–34 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Occidental College compared with other California colleges?
Occidental College has the 25th-lowest acceptance rate of 92 California colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary | 41% | 85% | $21,680 |
| 22 | University of California-Davis | 42% | 86% | $14,741 |
| 23 | Casa Loma College-Los Angeles | 43% | 73% | $27,596 |
| 24 | Soka University of America | 43% | 92% | $18,260 |
| 25 | Occidental College | 44% | 81% | $38,263 |
| 26 | Loyola Marymount University | 45% | 79% | $48,381 |
| 27 | California State University-Long Beach | 46% | 69% | $10,440 |
| 28 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles | 46% | 0% | — |
| 29 | Pacific Union College | 47% | 58% | $41,008 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All California colleges →
Who enrolls at Occidental College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Occidental College admissions questions
What is the Occidental College acceptance rate?
Occidental College accepts 44% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 2,622 of 6,573 applicants were admitted.
Does Occidental College require the SAT or ACT?
Occidental College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 23% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 13% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Occidental College?
The middle 50% of Occidental College enrolled first-year students scored 1380–1520 on the SAT and 31–34 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Occidental College?
20% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (532 of 2,622).
Is Occidental College getting harder to get into?
Occidental College accepted 44% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 40% for Fall 2023.
Is Occidental College the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Occidental College overview