Occidental College vs Pacific Oaks College
Occidental College and Pacific Oaks College, two distinct institutions of higher learning in Los Angeles, California, offer unique educational experiences for prospective students. Occidental, a highly selective liberal arts college, boasts an acceptance rate of 34%, while Pacific Oaks, a private, nonprofit college focused on human development and social change, maintains an open admissions policy. Occidental's student body is predominantly undergraduate, with a diverse population representing various backgrounds and interests. Pacific Oaks, on the other hand, caters to a more diverse student body, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, with a strong emphasis on social justice and community engagement. While both institutions offer a range of academic programs, Occidental is known for its strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, while Pacific Oaks excels in fields related to education, psychology, and human development. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we present a comprehensive comparison of Occidental College and Pacific Oaks College, highlighting key differences in acceptance rates,
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![]() Occidental College |
![]() Pacific Oaks College |
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Overview |
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Location | Los Angeles, California | Pasadena, California |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
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 | 92.0% | |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 38.2% | 13.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$55
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SAT range | 1340 - 1490 | N/A |
ACT range | 30 - 33 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 29.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 22.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 6,495 | 23 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,484 | 3 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 535 | 1 |
Yield rate | 21.5% | 33.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $77,878 | $40,824 |
Average net price | $43,047 | |
Tuition | $57,830 | $11,482 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,512
Meal plan:
$8,090
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $29,715 |
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Students receiving federal student loan |
31.0%
Average amount $4,603 |
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Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $6,554 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,964
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
479
Men 9.0% Women 91.0% |
Graduate students | N/A |
696
Men 13.1% Women 86.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 62.5% | N/A |
International students | 6.3% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,650 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington New York Illinois Mississippi | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 5:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.9% | N/A |
Dropout rate | 4.1% | N/A |
Transferred out | 12.6% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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