A private liberal arts college in Los Angeles emphasizing diversity, global literacy, and civic engagement.
Occidental offers more than 40 majors and nine minor-only programs with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio and average class size of 18 students. Most popular majors include Econometrics & Quantitative Economics, Psychology, Biology, Political Science, Environmental Studies, and International Relations. The curriculum emphasizes diversity, global literacy, and civic engagement, with opportunities for student research, internships at Los Angeles arts and cultural institutions, and study abroad programs.
The 120-acre Eagle Rock campus features Mediterranean-style architecture designed by Myron Hunt with landscape development by Beatrix Farrand. The campus includes state-of-the-art facilities such as a 1-megawatt solar array (largest hillside array on an American college campus), art studios, laboratories, and the Remsen Bird Amphitheater. Student life includes themed-living communities, Greek organizations, student media (The Occidental newspaper since 1893, KOXY radio, CatAList TV), and approximately 25% of students participate in 21 varsity sports teams.
For fall 2024, Occidental received 6,461 applications with a 44.2% acceptance rate and enrolled 509 students. The class of 2028 had SAT scores of 1400–1495 (25th–75th percentile) and ACT scores of 31–34. Approximately 49% of enrolled students were in the top 10% of their high school class. In 2023, the college eliminated legacy preferences in admissions. International students comprise approximately 13% of admitted students.
Occidental has produced 10 Rhodes Scholars since 1908 and numerous recipients of prestigious awards including Pulitzer Prize, Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Tony Award, and Emmy Award. Notable alumni include President Barack Obama (attended two years before transferring to Columbia), Cabinet members, US Congress members, and CEOs of major companies. The college offers the Barack Obama Scholars Program to empower students pursuing public good and maintains strong career outcomes through internship and research opportunities in Los Angeles.