Occidental College vs Azusa Pacific

Occidental College and Azusa Pacific University, two distinct institutions of higher learning in Southern California, offer unique educational experiences for prospective students. Occidental, a private liberal arts college in Los Angeles, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 34%, while Azusa Pacific, a private Christian university in Azusa, offers a more accessible admissions process with an acceptance rate of 75%. Both institutions provide a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with Occidental emphasizing the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and Azusa Pacific offering a broader selection of majors including business, nursing, and education. While Occidental's student body is predominantly composed of full-time, traditional-age students, Azusa Pacific's student population is more diverse, with a significant proportion of part-time and non-traditional students. Additionally, Occidental boasts a higher graduation rate of 84% compared to Azusa Pacific's 68%. To help you make an informed decision about your higher

	Azusa Pacific University	Occidental College
Overview
Location	Azusa, California	Los Angeles, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
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	79.0%	92.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation	Undenominational

Admission
Acceptance rate	94.1%	38.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $45	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $60
SAT range	966 - 1266	1340 - 1490
ACT range	19 - 25	30 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	16.0%	29.0%
Students submitting ACT score	3.0%	22.0%
Total number of applicants	3,967	6,495
Total number of admissions given out	3,733	2,484
Admitted students who chose to enroll	636	535
Yield rate	17.0%	21.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$64,752	$77,878
Average net price	$27,112	$43,047
Tuition	$40,830	$57,830
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,316 Meal plan: $4,140	Room/dormitory: $9,512 Meal plan: $8,090
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	99.0% Average amount $27,436	100.0% Average amount $29,715
Students receiving federal student loan	35.0% Average amount $5,109	31.0% Average amount $4,603
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $19,046	17.0% Average amount $6,554

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,939 Men 31.8% Women 68.2%	1,964 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%
Graduate students	4,187 Men 25.9% Women 74.1%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	62.5%
International students	3.4%	6.3%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,467	1,650
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	California Washington New York Illinois Mississippi

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Business Psychology Visual & Performing Arts	Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science Multidisciplinary Studies Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	71.5%	82.9%
Dropout rate	28.0%	4.1%
Transferred out	N/A	12.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $115,116 Year 2: $106,724 Year 3: $118,408 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $90,222 Year 2: $89,570 Year 3: $97,162 Education, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $101,763 Year 2: $90,146 Year 3: $93,165 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $74,455 Year 2: $78,719 Year 3: $89,214 Psychology, Other (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $64,966 Year 2: $59,722 Year 3: $75,095 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,775 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $69,542 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,492 Year 2: $60,771 Year 3: $68,256 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,482 Year 2: $59,425 Year 3: $67,433 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,617 Year 2: $60,234 Year 3: $65,281 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,760 Year 2: $54,585 Year 3: $62,117	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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Occidental College and Azusa Pacific University?

Occidental College is a private, independent liberal arts college known for its strong academics, diverse student body, and location in Los Angeles. It emphasizes critical thinking, interdisciplinary study, and social justice. Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a private, evangelical Christian university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. APU integrates faith into its curriculum and campus life, emphasizing spiritual development alongside academic excellence. The key difference lies in their core values and approach to education: Occidental prioritizes secular liberal arts education, while APU centers its education around Christian principles.
How do the academic programs at Occidental and Azusa Pacific compare?

Occidental College excels in liberal arts disciplines, offering strong programs in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It's known for its undergraduate research opportunities and its 3-2 engineering program with Caltech. Azusa Pacific University offers a broader range of programs, including professional fields like nursing, business, and education, in addition to liberal arts. While both offer quality education, Occidental's focus is more narrowly on liberal arts, while APU provides a wider array of career-oriented programs.
What is the campus environment like at each school?

Occidental College boasts a vibrant, diverse, and politically engaged campus community. Located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, it offers a close-knit environment with a strong emphasis on student involvement and social activism. Azusa Pacific University fosters a more structured and faith-based campus environment. Its location in Azusa, California, provides a suburban setting. APU emphasizes community service, spiritual growth, and adherence to Christian values in all aspects of campus life.
How do the costs of attending Occidental College and Azusa Pacific University compare?

Generally, Occidental College and Azusa Pacific University have similar tuition costs. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on financial aid packages and individual spending habits. It's crucial to compare the net cost (tuition minus financial aid) at each institution based on your specific financial situation. Both schools offer merit-based and need-based financial aid, so exploring those options is essential.
What are the admission requirements for Occidental and Azusa Pacific?

Both Occidental College and Azusa Pacific University have selective admissions processes. Occidental typically requires a strong academic record, including challenging coursework, high GPA, and competitive standardized test scores (though Occidental is test-optional). They also look for demonstrated leadership, extracurricular involvement, and compelling essays. Azusa Pacific University also considers academic performance, but places additional emphasis on character, spiritual maturity, and a commitment to Christian values. Applicants to APU may be asked to provide a personal statement reflecting their faith journey.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at each school?

Occidental College leverages its Los Angeles location to provide students with numerous internship opportunities in various fields, including entertainment, politics, and non-profits. Their Career Development Center offers extensive resources for career exploration, resume building, and interview preparation. Azusa Pacific University also provides career services and internship support, with a focus on connecting students with opportunities that align with their career goals and values. APU's career services may also emphasize opportunities within Christian organizations and ministries.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Occidental College and Azusa Pacific University?

Occidental College generally has a lower student-faculty ratio than Azusa Pacific University. This typically translates to smaller class sizes and more personalized attention from professors at Occidental. While APU also values student-faculty interaction, its larger size may result in slightly larger class sizes on average.
How does the location of each school impact the student experience?

Occidental College's location in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles provides students with access to a diverse urban environment, offering a wide range of cultural, entertainment, and professional opportunities. Students can easily explore the city's museums, theaters, restaurants, and internship possibilities. Azusa Pacific University's location in Azusa, a suburban city in the San Gabriel Valley, offers a more relaxed and community-oriented setting. While not as centrally located as Occidental, APU students can still access Los Angeles and its attractions with a short drive.
What kind of student would thrive at Occidental College versus Azusa Pacific University?

A student who thrives at Occidental College is typically intellectually curious, socially conscious, and enjoys a diverse and academically rigorous environment. They are often independent thinkers who are passionate about social justice and eager to engage in critical discussions. A student who thrives at Azusa Pacific University is typically seeking a faith-based education within a supportive Christian community. They are often committed to service, spiritual growth, and integrating their faith into their academic and professional pursuits.
Are there any notable alumni from Occidental College and Azusa Pacific University?

Yes, both institutions have produced notable alumni. Occidental College boasts alumni in various fields, including Barack Obama (attended for two years), actors, writers, and business leaders. Azusa Pacific University's alumni include prominent figures in ministry, education, business, and entertainment, often with a focus on Christian leadership and service.

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