Occidental College vs Brown University
Occidental College and Brown University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Occidental, a liberal arts college nestled in Los Angeles, boasts a tight-knit community and a focus on undergraduate teaching. Brown, an Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island, is renowned for its open curriculum and interdisciplinary approach. With Occidental's acceptance rate hovering around 33% and Brown's at 7%, selectivity varies significantly. Occidental's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of Hispanic and international students, while Brown's student body leans more heavily towards White and Asian students. Both institutions excel in graduation rates, with Occidental's four-year rate at 82% and Brown's at 96%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover further distinctions in popular majors, financial aid, and campus life, and determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Brown University |
![]() Occidental College |
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Overview |
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Location | Providence, Rhode Island | Los Angeles, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 92.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 5.5% | 38.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | 1460 - 1570 | 1340 - 1490 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 30 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | 29.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | 22.0% |
Total number of applicants | 46,568 | 6,495 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,568 | 2,484 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,705 | 535 |
Yield rate | 66.4% | 21.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,570 | $77,878 |
Average net price | $25,028 | $43,047 |
Tuition | $60,944 | $57,830 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,054
Meal plan:
$6,292
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Room/dormitory:
$9,512
Meal plan:
$8,090
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $55,420 |
100.0%
Average amount $29,715 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
9.0%
Average amount $5,159 |
31.0%
Average amount $4,603 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $27,008 |
17.0%
Average amount $6,554 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,349
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
1,964
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
Graduate students |
3,347
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 96.5% | 62.5% |
International students | 18.6% | 6.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,013 | 1,650 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas | California Washington New York Illinois Mississippi |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.8% | 82.9% |
Dropout rate | 3.7% | 4.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 12.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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