Is Occidental test optional?

We haven't confirmed Occidental's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Occidental's acceptance rate?

44% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 2,854 of 6,461 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 9%, from 5,911 in 2015 to 6,461 in 2024, and Occidental's admit rate went from 45% to 44%.

What ACT score do you need for Occidental?

8% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 31–34, with a median of 32. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1400–1510 works out to about 31–34.

What GPA do you need for Occidental?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.64 high school GPA, and 16% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

How many students get off the waitlist at Occidental?

72 of the 297 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 24%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Occidental? (Middle 50%: 1400–1510)

First-year students at Occidental who sent an SAT scored 1400–1510, with a median of 1460 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Occidental admits 44% of applicants.

Occidental College · Los Angeles, CA

Where your score lands at Occidental

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1400–1510, median 1460

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Occidental is for you and whether to send your score.

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Occidental by the numbers

Admit rate: 44%
Middle 50% SAT: 1400–1510
Median SAT: 1460
About on the ACT: 31–34
Sent an SAT: 25%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Occidental admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 9%, from 5,911 in 2015 to 6,461 in 2024, and Occidental's admit rate went from 45% to 44%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	6,461	2,854	44%
2023	6,573	2,622	40%
2022	6,305	2,484	39%
2021	6,495	2,484	38%
2020	6,939	2,838	41%
2019	7,501	2,752	37%
2018	7,281	2,716	37%
2017	6,775	2,831	42%
2016	6,409	2,936	46%
2015	5,911	2,652	45%

In fall 2024, 509 of the 2,854 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Occidental

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1350Far reachHold
1350–1390ReachHold
1400–1450TargetHold
1460 and upTargetSend

1250135014501550

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Occidental SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	670	710	760
SAT Reading and Writing	700	740	760
SAT total	1400	1460	1510
ACT composite	31	32	34

Of enrolled first-year students, 25% sent an SAT and 8% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 3.64
Top 10% of their class: 16%; of new students who reported a rank

Occidental waitlist

Waitlist

969 applicants were offered a spot, 297 took it, and 72 were admitted from it.

24%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2025–26.

Occidental cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $38,263; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 81%
Median earnings: $75,951; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 2,016

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Occidental

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

Sources

Occidental Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Occidental website
Occidental College

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1400–1510, and the median was 1460. At 1460 or higher you're above half of them. Occidental admits 44% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

Calculator allowed

A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$