Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Online | oxy.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large City |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Occidental College sits on a 120-acre campus in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of northeast Los Angeles, characterized by its Mediterranean architecture and proximity to downtown LA and Pasadena. Founded in 1887, Occidental operates as a private liberal arts college and maintains a selective admission process. The institution offers undergraduate degrees across 40 majors, with particular strengths in diplomacy and world affairs, urban and environmental policy, and media arts and culture. Students are required to live on campus for their first three years, residing in one of the college's 13 residence halls and themed living communities. As a member of NCAA Division III, Occidental competes in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, though the college is perhaps best known academically for its diplomacy program and as the location where Barack Obama spent his first two years of undergraduate study.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Oxy is rated within the top 16% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Occidental College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#78 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#71 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#11 in Best Colleges in California
#9 in Best Private Colleges in California
#364 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#28 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1360/1500 |
| ACT | 31/34 |
| GPA | 3.63 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 10, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | High |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,240 |
| Other Fees | $596 |
| Room and Board | $18,284 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,830 |
| Total One Year Cost | $84,800 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 32% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 10% |
| Psychology | 9% |
| Biology | 7% |
| Foreign Languages | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Oxy are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=120254 IPEDS survey data for Occidental College.
Current students may use the Occidental College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025