Saint Mary's College of California vs Occidental College

Saint Mary's College of California and Occidental College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions in California, offer distinct educational experiences. Saint Mary's, nestled in the vibrant East Bay, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. Occidental, situated in the heart of Los Angeles, attracts a diverse student body, with a higher percentage of international students. While Saint Mary's excels in nursing and biology, Occidental shines in economics and psychology. Both colleges share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a wide range of opportunities for personal and intellectual growth. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more about these institutions' unique strengths and find the perfect fit for your academic aspirations.

	Occidental College	Saint Mary's College of California
Overview
Location	Los Angeles, California	Moraga, California
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	92.0%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	38.2%	70.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1340 - 1490	N/A
ACT range	30 - 33	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%
Students submitting ACT score	22.0%
Total number of applicants	6,495	3,523
Total number of admissions given out	2,484	2,469
Admitted students who chose to enroll	535	421
Yield rate	21.5%	17.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	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	$71,116
Average net price	$43,047	$25,022
Tuition	$57,830	$51,568
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,512 Meal plan: $8,090	$16,300
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $29,715	100.0% Average amount $37,096
Students receiving federal student loan	31.0% Average amount $4,603	75.0% Average amount $5,473
Students taking out private loans	17.0% Average amount $6,554	3.0% Average amount $19,233

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,964 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	2,199 Men 42.0% Women 58.0%
Graduate students	N/A	966 Men 35.5% Women 64.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	62.5%	13.9%
International students	6.3%	2.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	1,650	1,522
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	California Washington Colorado Oregon Hawaii

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science Multidisciplinary Studies Visual & Performing Arts	Education Business Psychology Liberal Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	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	82.9%	73.1%
Dropout rate	4.1%	26.3%
Transferred out	12.6%	N/A
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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,339 Year 2: $108,331 Year 3: $119,946 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,181 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $87,697 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $86,536 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,207 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $72,426 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,833 Year 2: $61,814 Year 3: $68,615 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,015 Year 2: $54,996 Year 3: $67,476 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,013 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $61,957 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,519 Year 2: $41,193 Year 3: $60,193 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,458 Year 2: $52,562 Year 3: $54,948 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,425 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $50,097

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in academic focus between Saint Mary's College of California and Occidental College?

Saint Mary's College of California emphasizes a liberal arts education rooted in the Catholic, Lasallian tradition, with a strong focus on ethics, social justice, and community engagement. Occidental College, while also a liberal arts college, has a broader, more secular focus and is known for its interdisciplinary approach and strong programs in diplomacy and world affairs, particularly due to its location in Los Angeles and connections to the United Nations.
How do the campus environments and locations compare?

Saint Mary's College is located in Moraga, California, a suburban setting in the San Francisco Bay Area. This provides a quieter, more close-knit campus environment. Occidental College is situated in the vibrant Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, offering students access to a diverse urban environment and numerous cultural and professional opportunities.
What is the typical student body size and student-faculty ratio at each college?

Saint Mary's College has a smaller undergraduate student body, typically around 3,000 students, with a student-faculty ratio of about 11:1. Occidental College is also relatively small, with approximately 2,000 undergraduates and a student-faculty ratio of around 10:1. Both colleges offer a personalized learning environment with close interaction between students and faculty.
How do the costs of attendance compare between Saint Mary's and Occidental?

The cost of attendance at both Saint Mary's College and Occidental College is relatively similar, placing them among the more expensive private liberal arts colleges. It's important to check the most recent tuition and fees on each college's website, as these figures can change annually. Both institutions offer financial aid and scholarships to eligible students, so exploring those options is crucial.
What are some of the most popular majors at each institution?

At Saint Mary's College, popular majors include Business Administration, Communication, Psychology, and Kinesiology. Occidental College is known for its strong programs in Diplomacy and World Affairs, Economics, Biology, and English. Both colleges offer a wide range of majors across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
What are the religious affiliations, if any, of each college?

Saint Mary's College of California is a Catholic college in the Lasallian tradition. While its values are rooted in this tradition, it welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. Occidental College is non-sectarian and has no formal religious affiliation.
What kind of campus culture can I expect at each school?

Saint Mary's College fosters a strong sense of community and emphasizes social justice and service. Students are actively involved in campus life and community outreach. Occidental College has a more politically active and globally-minded student body, with a focus on social responsibility and engagement with the Los Angeles community.
What are the athletic programs like at Saint Mary's and Occidental?

Saint Mary's College competes in NCAA Division I athletics, primarily in the West Coast Conference. Their basketball program is particularly well-known. Occidental College competes in NCAA Division III athletics as part of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). While not as high-profile as Division I, Occidental offers a wide range of sports and a strong emphasis on the student-athlete experience.
What career services and internship opportunities are available at each college?

Both Saint Mary's College and Occidental College offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and internship placement assistance. Occidental benefits from its location in Los Angeles, providing students with access to internships in entertainment, media, and various other industries. Saint Mary's location in the Bay Area provides access to internships in technology, finance, and other sectors.
How do the general education requirements differ between the two colleges?

Both Saint Mary's and Occidental have core curriculum requirements designed to provide a broad liberal arts foundation. Saint Mary's is known for its Collegiate Seminar program, a four-semester Great Books program. Occidental's core program emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and interdisciplinary perspectives, with a focus on global and cultural awareness.

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