2021-2022 Catalog > Tuition, Fees, and Expenses

Tuition, Fees, and Expenses

Each student is charged a tuition fee that covers about two-thirds of the cost of services provided by the College. The balance of these costs is met by income from the endowment and by gifts from trustees, parents, alumni, other friends, corporations, and foundations interested in the liberal arts education that this institution provides.

The expenses of students at Occidental are shown in the schedules that appear below. The College reserves the right to change fees, modify its services, or change its program should economic conditions or national emergency make it necessary to do so.

The College will charge all full-time students $58,426 per year. If the student resides on campus, an additional charge will be assessed per the room-and-board schedule below. Books and supplies, special fees, and personal expenses will vary with the individual. The College estimates they will total approximately up to $4,000 per year.

2021-2022 Tuition and General Fees (Per Semester)

Please see explanations below regarding certain of these items:

Tuition and Commitment Deposit

Tuition is the charge for instruction and general services of the College, including privileges of the library, gymnasium, swimming pool, and health center; admission to all athletic events sponsored by the College; and graduation.

Upon acceptance for admission to Occidental, a commitment deposit of $500 is required. The deposit will be forfeited should enrollment at Occidental not occur. Commitment deposits are non-interest bearing.

The commitment deposit will be credited toward the student’s account at the end of the last academic semester in attendance. In the event that the student elects not to return to the College, and therefore does not graduate, the deposit will be released at the time of declaration not to return. Deposits will be held for students on official leave of absence from the College, pending their return.

Room and Board

All students who hold a room contract for traditional campus housing must purchase one of the four room-and-board contracts available per semester (board plans are optional for residents of Berkus House, SAE, Theta House and the Food Justice House):

Meal plan changes are available online through the Friday of the first full week of classes each semester. Online changes are free. For complete information on dining and meal plans, please see the Campus Dining website: http://www.oxy.edu/campus-dining

Change in Meal Plan $5

Replacement of lost ID card with same photo $20

Replacement of lost ID card with new photo $25

ID card replacement  5th - 9th card; additional fee $45

ID card - replacement - 10th card or higher; additional fee $55

ID card - rush - additional fee * $40

*ID cards without rush are produced and available at a set time each day

The Card Office manages meal plan changes and ID card replacement:

http://www.oxy.edu/card-office

Board charges will be prorated to the date of change in status, except that adjustments will not be made for an absence of one week or less, nor for the first week of a prolonged absence.

Student Body Fee

The student body fee is required of all students. (Exchange students from Caltech and Art Center College of Design are exempt.) The fee is established and collected by the College for the support of student organizations and activities, including publication of a weekly newspaper and the yearbook. Student funds are administered by the Associated Students of Occidental College. In extraordinary circumstances, the president of the College is authorized to take whatever action is deemed necessary with respect to the expenditure of these funds or the use of student body facilities and properties.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability Fee

Money for the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Fund will be raised by a $10.75 per student per semester Renewable Energy and Sustainability fee, as part of the student body fee. The student body at a general election may increase this fee by majority vote. Money not spent or invested at the end of each year will accrue in savings and be available to the fund in future years.

Diversity and Equity Board Fee

Money for the Diversity and Equity Board Fund will be raised by a $10.75 per student per semester DEB fee, as part of the student body fee. The fund shall be used at the discretion of the Board towards projects, events, and other proposals put forth by any student or faculty member of Occidental College that seeks to have a campus-wide impact. Use of the fund must specifically relate to the mission of the Diversity and Equity Board and all uses of the fund shall be communicated to the general student body.

Student Health Fee

Emmons Wellness Center is an integrated wellness center with highly coordinated psychological and medical care, professional case management, advocacy, a student-driven advisory council, and educational offerings.  Many of these services are either not reimbursed by insurance companies, or Emmons has chosen to offer such services at no cost to students.  The Health Services fee will be utilized to support such services. 

Student Health Insurance (may be waived)

All students must have health insurance in order to enroll at Oxy. While many students are covered under a parent’s policy and others have their own insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), those who don’t (or whose policies do not meet minimum standards) and international students are required to purchase insurance through the Occidental Student Health Insurance Program (OSHIP). The insurance premium cost for the 2021-2022 academic year is $2,594. While limited grants are available through the Emmons Wellness Center, they are only awarded to students who have exhausted all other cost-effective options.