Occidental College's published cost of attendance is $84,800. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $20,705, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $17,655, middle-income families pay about $21,468, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $28,033, and higher-income families pay around $54,959.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $84,800 |
| Tuition and Fees | $66,274 |
| Room and Board | $19,252 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,250 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$46,537 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $38,263 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $20,705 |
| $30–48k | $17,655 |
| $48–75k | $21,468 |
| $75–110k | $28,033 |
| $110k+ | $54,959 |
Occidental College's published cost of attendance is $84,800. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $20,705, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $17,655, middle-income families pay about $21,468, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $28,033, and higher-income families pay around $54,959. Azimuth ranks Occidental College #1346 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Occidental College meets demonstrated financial need through a combination of need-based grants, loans, and work-study. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The net price illusion explains how published sticker price and actual net price can differ substantially — a distinction that matters when comparing affordability across institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $51,450; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. See the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Occidental College's median four-year earnings of $68,467, median federal debt of $23,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $260 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Occidental College earn median 4-year earnings of $68,467, placing Occidental College in the 72.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Occidental College #526 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings profile reflects a social-sciences-anchored curriculum where Social Sciences represents the dominant concentration, shaping both the institution's graduate outcomes and the career pathways students pursue after enrollment. The program lineup spans humanities, social sciences, and applied fields. Economics is the largest program with 85 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $103,164, delivering 1.2× the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field. The International Relations and National Security Studies program graduates 53 students earning median 4-year earnings of $70,394, while Biology, General and Research Psychology round out the top programs with 40 and 36 graduates respectively. The concentration in Social Sciences (representing 30% of degrees) alongside Arts (10%) and other STEM fields (4%) reflects Occidental College's liberal-arts identity and positions graduates for careers in education, policy, nonprofit leadership, and professional services where social-sciences training translates into sustained earning power.
