Occidental is a nationally recognized liberal arts college in Los Angeles—one of the world’s most innovative and dynamic cities. Our small campus is located within a global city, offering students a combination of intimate scale and infinite scope. An Occidental education encourages students to explore new places, cultures, and ideas—and not just in the classroom. With a wide range of academic disciplines, distinct interdisciplinary programs, and an emphasis on research, you will cultivate the intellectual, social, and practical skills that allow you to make a meaningful impact in the world.
I By the Numbers
45 majors and minors (including an option for a selfdesignated course of study)
17 average class size
2/3 students participate in study off-campus and abroad
9:1
student:faculty ratio
2,000 enrolled students
75% of students live on campus all four years
20 NCAA Division III varsity sports
95% of students secured a postgraduate opportunity within 9 months of graduation
I Occidental: Where Theory Meets Practice
Occidental’s distinctive academic program, anchored by exceptional faculty and the resources of one of the world’s great urban centers, develops graduates who are fully equipped to meet real-world challenges. Here are just a few opportunities open to all students:
I Occidental at the United Nations
Each fall, students in the program move to New York City to participate in high-level internships at United Nations agencies, country missions (government offices), and related non-governmental organizations. Placements are complemented by academic seminars, which engage a range of distinguished speakers.
I Undergraduate Research
A hallmark of the Occidental experience, students across all disciplines partner with faculty mentors to engage in research at a level typically reserved for graduate school.
I Campaign Semester
In the only program of its kind, students dive into the trenches of political campaigns in battleground states every two years, gaining firsthand experience and earning full academic credit. Students intern full-time in a key presidential, Senate, House, or gubernatorial campaign before returning to campus to reflect on their experiences in the classroom.
I Obama Scholars Program
Inspired by President Barack Obama’s own experience as a student at Occidental, the program provides exceptional students from all backgrounds with a set of curated experiences to help propel them toward leadership and impact for the public good.
I In the Heart of Los Angeles
Occidental College occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Tongva people.
Occidental’s central location in the City of Angels provides boundless opportunities to explore. Popular destinations within 10 miles of campus include:
• Hollywood Bowl
• Downtown Los Angeles
• Dodger Stadium
• Griffith Observatory
• Warner Bros. Studio
• Natural History Museum
• Rose Bowl
• San Gabriel Mountains
• Crypto.com Arena
• Walt Disney Concert Hall
• Universal Studios Hollywood
Global Campus, Global Reach
Our location in Los Angeles attracts a diverse student body from all walks of life and from places near and far. Occidental offers numerous programs and opportunities that expand your horizons well beyond the classroom.
I First-Year Stats
Students come from 37 states and 23 countries
International or dual citizens: 14%
First-generation students: 14%
Domestic students of color: 48%
Students on a research trip to the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica.
Geology professor and student collect sediment core from Delta Lake, Wyoming, during a summer research trip.
A student in front of South Korea’s Yonsei University, where he spent a semester studying abroad.
Students explore the Galápagos Islands as part of a faculty-led Richter Research Trip.
I Study Abroad
I Tigers on the Move
Here are just a few of the places that Occidental students travel to for study abroad, research, internships, fellowships, and more!
What our students say about their global experiences:
I Natalia Guerra
Natalia Guerra of Chicago majored in critical theory and social justice and studied in Amsterdam and Mexico while at Occidental. “Going elsewhere provides alternatives to your thinking, and to what you think is possible. It’s so important, especially for a project about liberation, to see how other people from different frameworks are approaching these problems.”
I Kate Grossman
Kate Grossman studied abroad in Hungary through the uniquely rigorous Budapest Semester in Mathematics program, which introduced her to a new culture and showed her what it means to seriously pursue math. “I met some of the brightest and kindest people I’ve ever known. They pushed me to be better, showed me what a love for math really looks like, and taught me to enjoy collaborative work.”
I Kevin Conroy
Kevin Conroy, a history and Asian studies major, leveraged various funding opportunities at Occidental to research his Chinese family history and conduct oral histories about the era of the Cultural Revolution. ”I can now go to China and hold my own in Mandarin in a political discussion with my family. ... I’ve been fully accepted by them as someone who is actually Chinese and not just American.”
The Student Experience
Occidental offers a vibrant, close-knit liberal arts college experience in one of the most stimulating and creative cities in the world. Our students are socially active and globally aware, committed to nurturing a community that embraces diversity and the freedom to express yourself. Nearly half of all Occidental students identify as domestic students of color or international students.
I Living on Campus
Residential life is a key component of the student experience at Occidental; students are required to live on campus for three years. Three-quarters of all students live on campus all four years in one of 17 coed residence halls, four of which are reserved for first-year students. Our on-campus halls and houses include a number of Themed Living Communities and gender-neutral housing, as well.
I Campus Vibes
Nestled in the hills of Los Angeles between Eagle Rock and Highland Park and replete with natural beauty, the Occidental campus is both peaceful and a place of palpable energy. Though downtown is mere miles away, our campus defies the stereotype of an urban college. Occidental has repeatedly been cited as one of the country’s most beautiful campuses, and sits on 120 acres studded with century-old oak and eucalyptus trees, graceful arches, and buildings built in the Spanish Colonial style.
I Dining on (and off) Campus
Occidental’s campus dining consistently receives high marks from the community. Food options include the cafeteria-style Marketplace, the fast-casual Tiger Cooler cafe, the buffet-style Saturday Dinner, and the student-run Green Bean Coffee Lounge. And plenty of delicious eateries, food trucks, and cafes are just a short walk from campus. Campus Dining is a signatory to the Real Food Challenge commitment, and we strive to obtain as much of our food as possible from local and sustainable sources.
I Athletics
With 20 varsity teams for men and women and an athletic tradition that dates back almost 130 years, Occidental helps students engage body and mind. Almost one-quarter of all students compete at the NCAA Division III level, and student-athletes have multiple opportunities to develop leadership skills and grow, both on and off the field. “One Tiger, Many Stripes” is more than a slogan—it’s a way of life.
I Women’s Sports:
• Basketball
• Cross-country
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
I Men’s Sports:
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross-country
• Golf
• Soccer
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Water Polo
I Student Clubs
Occidental students thrive in their extracurricular pursuits, taking part in more than 100 clubs and organizations covering a vast range of interests—from academic and pre-professional pursuits to service and community, cultural and artistic, and more! Below is a small snapshot of student-run clubs and organizations.
• Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Association (APIDAA)
• Black Student Alliance
• Detox Ultimate Frisbee
• First Gen Club
• Hillel
• Latinx Student Union
• Muslim Student Association
• Newman Catholic Community
• Oxy Gaming
• Oxy Outdoors
• Pre-Health Student Association
• Progressive Christians Uniting
• PULSE Dance Club
• Women of Economics
I Springboard to Success: Life After Oxy
Students are encouraged to see the world as an endless set of possibilities. The liberal arts experience at Occidental, connecting theory and practice, provides a springboard for our graduates to thrive and make a positive impact in the world.
Hameetman Career Center connects students to postgraduate opportunities, providing personalized assistance and sponsoring hundreds of events and workshops throughout the year. Advising is focused on career services, pre-health advising, and national and international fellowships, helping students connect their interests and skills with a variety of career opportunities in Los Angeles and beyond. From start-ups to major Fortune 500 companies, Occidental graduates are thriving across a range of industries.
I Recent Internships
• City of Hope
• GRAMMY Museum
• Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy
• Los Angeles Mayor’s Office
• Los Angeles Times
• Los Angeles Zoo
• Mercedes-Benz Arena Shanghai
• NASA/Jet Propulsion Lab
• Salesforce
• Southern California Public Radio
• Warner Music Group
I Where Oxy Graduates Go
- Nonprofit, Education, and Research
- Management, Business, and Finance
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medicine
- Law and Government
- Media, Arts, Entertainment, and Fashion
- Other Industries
Recent Graduate Program Destinations
• University of Southern California
• Johns Hopkins University
• Columbia University
• University of Michigan
• UCLA
• Georgetown University
• London School of Economics
• University of Chicago
I Who Hires Oxy Grads?
• American Red Cross
• Children’s Hospital
• DreamWorks Animation
• Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project
• Federal Reserve
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art
• Paramount Pictures
• Southern California Grantmakers
• Teach for America
• And more!
Applying to Occidental
Think Occidental is for you? Ready to learn more? Visit us online to schedule a campus tour, take a virtual tour, or get more information about applying.
I Visit Occidental
Student-led tours are offered year-round. It’s a great way to experience campus vibes firsthand (and did we mention that Clueless was filmed on campus?). Schedule a campus visit online at oxy.edu/campus-visit
I Talk to an admission counselor
I Connect online
Get a feel for the College by taking a 360º look around campus or by joining us for a virtual information session. Explore your online options at tour.oxy.edu
Our admission team connects with applicants from every region of the country and internationally. Find your admission counselor online at oxy.edu/admission-counselor
I Interview with an Occidental representative
While not required, interviews provide applicants with a wonderful opportunity to share more about themselves and their interest in Occidental. Prospective students should plan to request interviews at least six weeks prior to application deadlines. Sign up at oxy.edu/admission-interview
I Get social with Occidental!
Financing Your Education
An Occidental education is affordable.
The Office of Financial Aid is committed to meeting the demonstrated need of every enrolled student. Approximately 77 percent of students receive need-based assistance and/or merit scholarships. While most institutional aid is reserved for need-based assistance (based on a family’s income and assets), all applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships regardless of financial background. Occidental also participates in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program. California residents may also qualify for Occidental’s Cal Grant Promise.
To begin exploring your financial options, learn more about the Cal Grant Promise, or try one of our cost estimators, visit our financial aid website
Occidental meets 100% of students’ demonstrated financial need based on the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
I Approximate Costs (2024-25 school year)
Academic Areas of Study
Our rigorous curriculum produces graduates who are well-equipped to address society’s biggest challenges—globally minded thinkers who draw from multiple disciplines to help solve complex problems. At the heart of the intellectual experience is our distinguished faculty, who take their teaching as seriously as their research. Understanding that learning is rooted in doing, Occidental faculty and students continually seek ways to link theory to practice.
• American Studies
• Art and Art History
• Asian Studies
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Black Studies
• Chemistry
• Chinese Studies
• Classical Studies*
• Cognitive Science
• Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture
• Computer Science
• Critical Theory and Social Justice
• Diplomacy and World Affairs
• Economics
• Education*
• English
• Engineering (combined degree program)
• Environmental Science**
• Food Studies*
• French Studies
• Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies*
• Geology
• German Studies*
• Group Language
• History
• Independent Pattern of Study
• Interdisciplinary Writing*
• Japanese Studies
• Kinesiology
• Latino/a and Latin American Studies
• Linguistics*
• Marine Biology**
• Mathematics
*Minor only | **Concentration
• Media Arts and Culture
• Music
• Neuroscience*
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Politics
• Psychology
• Public Health*
• Religious Studies
• Russian Studies*
• Sociology
• Spanish Studies
• Theater
• Urban and Environmental Policy
Pre-Law and Pre-Health/Pre-Med
Students interested in health and medical professions as well as law school receive individualized support and guidance from Occidental’s Pre-Law Advisor and the Office of Pre-Health Advising. Prerequisite classes for graduate studies and courses in each of these areas are offered throughout the curriculum.
