Occidental College vs St. John's College
Occidental College and St. John's College, two esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Occidental, located in Los Angeles, California, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, with popular majors including Economics, Psychology, and Biology. St. John's, with campuses in Annapolis, Maryland, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, emphasizes a rigorous Great Books curriculum, fostering critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. While Occidental boasts a higher acceptance rate, St. John's maintains a smaller student body, providing a more intimate learning environment. Both colleges offer strong graduation rates, preparing students for successful careers or further education. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Occidental College |
![]() St. John's College |
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Overview |
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Location | Los Angeles, California | Santa Fe, New Mexico |
Campus setting | City: Large | Rural: Fringe |
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% | 72.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 38.2% | 62.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 1340 - 1490 | 1280 - 1470 |
ACT range | 30 - 33 | 25 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 29.0% | 23.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 22.0% | 7.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,495 | 456 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,484 | 286 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 535 | 119 |
Yield rate | 21.5% | 41.6% |
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) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $77,878 | $51,688 |
Average net price | $43,047 | $25,628 |
Tuition | $57,830 | $35,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,512
Meal plan:
$8,090
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Room/dormitory:
$7,446
Meal plan:
$6,832
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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 |
81.0%
Average amount $21,782 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
31.0%
Average amount $4,603 |
52.0%
Average amount $4,431 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $6,554 |
2.0%
Average amount $26,797 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,964
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
368
Men 51.1% Women 48.9% |
Graduate students | N/A |
81
Men 61.7% Women 38.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 62.5% | N/A |
International students | 6.3% | 14.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Rural: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 1,650 | 375 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
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 | 7:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.9% | 71.6% |
Dropout rate | 4.1% | 9.5% |
Transferred out | 12.6% | 17.6% |
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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Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's Degrees)
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