Occidental College

Overview

Occidental College, a private liberal arts institution founded in 1887, is located in Los Angeles, California, offering students a suburban college setting within close proximity to the urban amenities of a major city. Known for its rigorous academic profile, Occidental provides a diverse range of majors, with a particular emphasis on the social sciences, followed by biological and biomedical sciences and visual and performing arts. The campus features a distinctive blend of Mediterranean Revival architecture and houses approximately two-thirds of the student body in residential complexes, fostering an inclusive on-campus living experience. Occidental's admission process is highly selective, seeking students who demonstrate a strong academic foundation and individual initiative. While the college does not specifically focus on athletics for its national reputation, it does offer a variety of sports programs and competes as the Tigers within the NCAA Division III Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

In the most recent statistical year 6,305 prospective students applied, and 2,484 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 531 enrolled in the school.  1,913 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 29 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $59,970 plus fees of $596. Oxy is ranked 72 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.