Oberlin 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, so no college gets a D or an F.Oberlin CollegeOberlin, OHCompass Score: Exceptional · Top 7%ACompass Score: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Occidental CollegeLos Angeles, CACompass Score: Exceptional · Top 8%
At a glance
- Median earnings ten years after entry are higher at Occidental: $75,951, against $58,343 at Oberlin.
- Median debt is lower at Occidental: $23,000, against $26,000 at Oberlin.
- Oberlin admits 34% of applicants, and Occidental admits 44%.
Scores
Compass Score
ACompass Score: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. Top 7%
ACompass Score: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. Top 8%
Academic Excellence
AAcademic Excellence: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. Top 5%
AAcademic Excellence: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. Top 5%
Value
C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
The college
Category
Liberal arts colleges
Liberal arts colleges
Location
Oberlin, OH
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
Town
City
Students
2,976
1,854
Sports
NCAA Division III · North Coast Athletic Conference
NCAA Division III · Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Admission
Admission rate
34%
44%
Average SAT
1447
1452
ACT middle 50%
31–34
31–34
Outcomes
Graduation rate
81%
81%
First-year retention
91%
90%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$58,343
$75,951
Median debt
$26,000
$23,000
Cost
Average price after aid
$38,645
$38,263
Price after aid, by family income
Up to $30,000
$18,774
$20,705
$30,001–$48,000
$15,799
$17,655
$48,001–$75,000
$22,123
$21,468
$75,001–$110,000
$29,207
$28,033
Over $110,000
$48,731
$54,959
Top majors by graduate earnings
Bachelor's majors
- Computing and information science $129,395
- Economics $87,120
- Political science $70,689
- History $60,895
- Area studies $55,151
- 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.