Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 84.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 85.1%
- Retention Rate
- 87.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $75,951
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $23,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 87.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $244/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $57,318 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $55,078 | $23,000 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $21,250 |
| Area Studies. | Bachelor | $39,369 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $37,779 | $25,700 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $36,132 | $19,275 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other. | Bachelor | $31,670 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,047 | $19,764 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $26,933 | $26,272 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $25,967 |
Outcomes Overview
Occidental graduates earn a median of $75,951 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $23,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 30% falls well below the concerning 40% threshold that financial experts flag. Monthly loan payments of $244 represent just 3.9% of median income, making repayment manageable for most graduates. The college's strong alumni network in politics, entertainment, and business opens doors in competitive Los Angeles markets. An 87.6% loan repayment rate indicates graduates generally find stable employment. Notable alumni like Barack Obama demonstrate the school's ability to launch high-profile careers. This represents a strong return on investment for a liberal arts education.