Skidmore College vs Occidental College

Skidmore College and Occidental College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Skidmore, nestled in Saratoga Springs, New York, boasts a higher acceptance rate (48%) compared to Occidental's 33% in Los Angeles, California. Skidmore's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of 2,500 compared to Occidental's 2,000. While Skidmore students pursue diverse majors, the most popular fields of study include business, social sciences, and health professions. Occidental, on the other hand, excels in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Both colleges share a commitment to academic excellence and offer competitive graduation rates, with Skidmore at 88% and Occidental at 86%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Occidental College	Skidmore College
Overview
Location	Los Angeles, California	Saratoga Springs, New York
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Small
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
Students retention rate	92.0%	90.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	38.2%	30.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $60	$65
SAT range	1340 - 1490	1270 - 1440
ACT range	30 - 33	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	22.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	6,495	11,176
Total number of admissions given out	2,484	3,419
Admitted students who chose to enroll	535	719
Yield rate	21.5%	21.0%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,878	$68,266
Average net price	$43,047	$31,553
Tuition	$57,830	$59,064
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,512 Meal plan: $8,090	Room/dormitory: $9,500 Meal plan: $6,568
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $29,715	59.0% Average amount $43,391
Students receiving federal student loan	31.0% Average amount $4,603	39.0% Average amount $4,879
Students taking out private loans	17.0% Average amount $6,554	4.0% Average amount $26,954

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,964 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	2,686 Men 40.8% Women 59.2%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	62.5%	68.4%
International students	6.3%	9.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	1,650	2,188
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	New York Mississippi Connecticut New Jersey California

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science Multidisciplinary Studies Visual & Performing Arts	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Education Foreign Languages and Literatures
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	8:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	82.9%	83.6%
Dropout rate	4.1%	3.5%
Transferred out	12.6%	12.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,544 Year 2: $55,078 Year 3: $63,231 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,360 Year 2: $37,779 Year 3: $49,843 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,329 Year 2: $36,132 Year 3: $45,083 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,948 Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: $43,488 Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $33,877 Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,967 Year 3: $31,152 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,035 Year 2: $26,933 Year 3: $31,095 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,916 Year 2: $30,047 Year 3: $30,729 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: N/A Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $15,793 Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: N/A	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,572 Year 2: $46,087 Year 3: $67,188 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,235 Year 2: $43,575 Year 3: $56,001 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $41,193 Year 3: $43,062 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,416 Year 2: $36,668 Year 3: $40,557 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,722 Year 2: $32,563 Year 3: $39,834 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $18,677 Year 2: $26,933 Year 3: $37,589 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,585 Year 2: $20,682 Year 3: $30,907 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,359 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,085 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Skidmore College and Occidental College?

Skidmore College, located in Saratoga Springs, New York, is a liberal arts college known for its strong integration of liberal arts and pre-professional programs, particularly in business, arts, and sciences. Occidental College, situated in Los Angeles, California, emphasizes a diverse and global perspective, with a strong focus on social justice and urban studies. Skidmore offers a more traditional New England college town experience, while Occidental provides access to the vibrant cultural and professional opportunities of Los Angeles.
How do the academic programs at Skidmore and Occidental compare?

Both Skidmore and Occidental offer a wide range of liberal arts majors. Skidmore is particularly recognized for its business, arts (especially dance and theater), and sciences programs. Occidental excels in diplomacy and world affairs, media arts and culture, and urban and environmental policy. While both have strong science programs, Occidental benefits from its proximity to research institutions in Southern California. Skidmore's 'Tang Teaching Museum' also provides unique academic opportunities.
What is the campus environment like at each college?

Skidmore offers a classic, close-knit college community in the charming town of Saratoga Springs. The campus is known for its beautiful architecture and strong sense of community. Occidental, located in the diverse Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, provides a more urban campus environment with easy access to the city's cultural attractions and internship opportunities. Occidental's campus is smaller and more integrated into its surrounding neighborhood.
How do the student bodies at Skidmore and Occidental differ?

Both colleges attract academically strong and engaged students. Occidental tends to draw a more geographically diverse student body, with a higher percentage of students from the West Coast and international locations. Skidmore's student body is more regionally focused on the Northeast. Both colleges prioritize diversity and inclusion, but Occidental's location contributes to a more pronounced emphasis on social justice issues within its student culture.
What are the opportunities for internships and research at Skidmore and Occidental?

Both Skidmore and Occidental offer robust internship and research opportunities. Skidmore's location near Albany and other Northeastern cities provides access to internships in various fields, including government, business, and the arts. Occidental's location in Los Angeles offers unparalleled access to internships in entertainment, media, technology, and non-profit organizations. Both colleges also support undergraduate research through grants and faculty mentorship.
What is the cost of attendance and financial aid like at Skidmore and Occidental?

The cost of attendance at both Skidmore and Occidental is comparable, reflecting their status as selective private liberal arts colleges. Both institutions offer need-based and merit-based financial aid packages. It's best to visit their respective financial aid websites and use their net price calculators to get a personalized estimate of the cost based on your family's financial situation. Both colleges are committed to making education accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
What are the popular extracurricular activities at Skidmore and Occidental?

Both colleges offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including student government, clubs, sports, and performing arts. Skidmore is known for its strong arts scene, with active theater, dance, and music programs. Occidental has a vibrant political and activist culture, with numerous clubs focused on social justice and environmental issues. Both colleges offer a variety of intramural and club sports, as well as opportunities for outdoor recreation.
How do the career services at Skidmore and Occidental support students after graduation?

Both Skidmore and Occidental have dedicated career services offices that provide students with resources and support for career exploration, internship placement, and job searching. They offer resume and cover letter workshops, mock interviews, and networking events. Occidental's location in Los Angeles provides a strong alumni network in the entertainment and media industries, while Skidmore's alumni network is strong in business, finance, and the arts in the Northeast.
Which college is better for students interested in the arts?

Both Skidmore and Occidental offer strong arts programs, but they have different strengths. Skidmore is particularly well-regarded for its performing arts, especially dance and theater, and its Tang Teaching Museum provides unique opportunities for art students. Occidental offers strong programs in media arts and culture, and its location in Los Angeles provides access to the entertainment industry. The 'better' choice depends on the specific art form and career aspirations.
Which college is better for students interested in social justice and activism?

While both colleges value social responsibility, Occidental College has a stronger emphasis on social justice and activism. Its location in Los Angeles, its diverse student body, and its academic programs in urban and environmental policy contribute to a more pronounced focus on these issues. Occidental also has a long history of student activism and engagement in social and political causes.

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