Dickinson vs Occidental
What each college publishes, side by side. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt come from federal data.
ACompass Score: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Dickinson CollegeCarlisle, PACompass Score: Exceptional · Top 8%ACompass Score: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Occidental CollegeLos Angeles, CACompass Score: Exceptional · Top 8%
At a glance
- For families earning up to $30,000, Occidental has the lower price after aid: $20,705 a year, against $40,755 at Dickinson.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are higher at Occidental: $75,951, against $70,204 at Dickinson.
- Median debt is lower at Dickinson: $19,000, against $23,000 at Occidental.
Scores
Compass Score
ACompass Score: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 8%
ACompass Score: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 8%
Academic Excellence
AAcademic Excellence: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 6%
AAcademic Excellence: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 5%
Value
B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
The college
Category
Liberal arts colleges
Liberal arts colleges
Location
Carlisle, PA
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
City
City
Students
2,217
1,854
Sports
NCAA Division III · Centennial Conference
NCAA Division III · Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Admission
Admission rate
42%
44%
Average SAT
1391
1452
ACT middle 50%
30–33
31–34
Outcomes
Graduation rate
80%
81%
First-year retention
92%
90%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$70,204
$75,951
Median debt
$19,000
$23,000
Cost
Average price after aid
$37,607
$38,263
Price after aid, by family income
Up to $30,000
$40,755
$20,705
$30,001–$48,000
$15,081
$17,655
$48,001–$75,000
$16,316
$21,468
$75,001–$110,000
$22,696
$28,033
Over $110,000
$45,175
$54,959
Top majors by graduate earnings
Bachelor's majors
- International business $84,990
- Economics $78,378
- Area studies $63,874
- International relations $62,570
- Political science $59,834
- Economics $103,164
- Mathematics $88,080
- Cognitive Science $78,782
- Political science $72,441
- Romance languages $71,779
Compare with another college
The Compass Score and grades are College Compass Guide’s own ratings. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This comparison doesn’t rank the two colleges; the figures are shown as published.