Occidental College
#35 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
Overview
Occidental College is a private institution that was founded in 1887. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,942 (fall 2022), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 120 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Occidental College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #35. Its tuition and fees are $63,446.
The Occidental campus is located in the suburban neighborhood of Eagle Rock, 8 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Downtown LA is brimming with opportunities for college students: internships, dining, nightlife and more. Freshmen must live on campus, and they are allowed to have cars. That’s a good thing, because the campus is within an hour's drive of big-time attractions like Venice Beach, Disneyland and Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Parking on campus is free with a permit, and about two-thirds of students bring cars. Students can choose from more than 100 clubs and organizations to get involved in on campus. Occidental has a handful of social sororities and fraternities, a gender neutral organization and a multicultural sorority. Even more students compete on the school’s sports teams, the orange and black Tigers, which are members of the NCAA Division III Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Occidental students can also take classes at CalTech and Art Center College of Design, and can earn joint degrees at CalTech, Columbia University and the University of Southern California's Keck Graduate Institute.
This liberal arts college is notable for its diverse undergraduate student body; about 50% of students are Caucasian, about 15% are Asian and another 15% are Hispanic, and about 5% are Black. Women make up more than half of the student population.
Occidental’s picturesque campus has been featured in many motion pictures, including "Clueless," "Orange County," "Jurassic Park III" and "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock." Notable alumni of the small school include Marsha Evans, former president and CEO of the American Red Cross; Andrea Elliott, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the New York Times; and Robert Richter, a documentary producer whose work has been featured on major stations like PBS and the Discovery Channel. Former President Barack Obama attended Occidental for two years before transferring to Columbia University.
Occidental College is a private institution that was founded in 1887. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,942 (fall 2022), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 120 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Occidental College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #35. Its tuition and fees are $63,446.
The Occidental campus is located in the suburban neighborhood of Eagle Rock, 8 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Downtown LA is brimming with opportunities for college students: internships, dining, nightlife and more. Freshmen must live on campus, and they are allowed to have cars. That’s a good thing, because the campus is within an hour's drive of big-time attractions like Venice Beach, Disneyland and Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Parking on campus is free with a permit, and about two-thirds of students bring cars. Students can choose from more than 100 clubs and organizations to get involved in on campus. Occidental has a handful of social sororities and fraternities, a gender neutral organization and a multicultural sorority. Even more students compete on the school’s sports teams, the orange and black Tigers, which are members of the NCAA Division III Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Occidental students can also take classes at CalTech and Art Center College of Design, and can earn joint degrees at CalTech, Columbia University and the University of Southern California's Keck Graduate Institute.
This liberal arts college is notable for its diverse undergraduate student body; about 50% of students are Caucasian, about 15% are Asian and another 15% are Hispanic, and about 5% are Black. Women make up more than half of the student population.
Occidental’s picturesque campus has been featured in many motion pictures, including "Clueless," "Orange County," "Jurassic Park III" and "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock." Notable alumni of the small school include Marsha Evans, former president and CEO of the American Red Cross; Andrea Elliott, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the New York Times; and Robert Richter, a documentary producer whose work has been featured on major stations like PBS and the Discovery Channel. Former President Barack Obama attended Occidental for two years before transferring to Columbia University.
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At-a-Glance
Setting
Urban
Tuition & Fees
$63,446
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,942
Acceptance Rate
39%
From the School
Situated on an idyllic 120-acre residential campus in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College offers a liberal arts and sciences-based education that prioritizes immersive learning in one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the world.
Academic Excellence With An L.A. Twist
With 45 areas of study, Occidental sets the foundation for a compelling intellectual adventure. Undergraduate research, local and global learning opportunities, and close mentoring by our demanding yet supportive faculty epitomize the academic experience. Our faculty understand that learning comes from doing, and they seek ways for students to apply their new knowledge to real-world projects with community partners in the Los Angeles area and beyond. With this approach, students develop into critical thinkers who draw from multiple disciplines to help solve complex problems in the world around them.
Student Experience Focused On Community
Occidental is a place for creative, hard-working, and curious students to explore their passions and make an impact in the world. Outside the classroom, students can participate in more than 100 student clubs and organizations, compete on one of our 20 NCAA Division III athletic teams, or recharge amidst their supportive living community in one of 17 residence halls. Tucked into the vibrant neighborhood of Eagle Rock, Occidental's location allows students to explore Los Angeles in their free time with the campus as their home base.
An Affordable Private Education
To make this one-of-a-kind college experience affordable, Occidental College helps students fund their education through generous financial aid, including merit scholarships, need-based grants, work-study, and student loans. Occidental is one of approximately 75 institutions in the United States that agrees to meet 100 percent of the demonstrated financial need for all U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented students.
Learn more about our only-in-L.A. community >>
Situated on an idyllic 120-acre residential campus in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College offers a liberal arts and sciences-based education that prioritizes immersive learning in one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the world.
Academic Excellence With An L.A. Twist
With 45 areas of study, Occidental sets the foundation for a compelling intellectual adventure. Undergraduate research, local and global learning opportunities, and close mentoring by our demanding yet supportive faculty epitomize the academic experience. Our faculty understand that learning comes from doing, and they seek ways for students to apply their new knowledge to real-world projects with community partners in the Los Angeles area and beyond. With this approach, students develop into critical thinkers who draw from multiple disciplines to help solve complex problems in the world around them.
Student Experience Focused On Community
Occidental is a place for creative, hard-working, and curious students to explore their passions and make an impact in the world. Outside the classroom, students can participate in more than 100 student clubs and organizations, compete on one of our 20 NCAA Division III athletic teams, or recharge amidst their supportive living community in one of 17 residence halls. Tucked into the vibrant neighborhood of Eagle Rock, Occidental's location allows students to explore Los Angeles in their free time with the campus as their home base.
An Affordable Private Education
To make this one-of-a-kind college experience affordable, Occidental College helps students fund their education through generous financial aid, including merit scholarships, need-based grants, work-study, and student loans. Occidental is one of approximately 75 institutions in the United States that agrees to meet 100 percent of the demonstrated financial need for all U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented students.
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Sponsored Content
2024 Rankings
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Admissions
See Upcoming Events at Occidental College.
Cost
Tuition & Fees
$63,446
Room & Board
$18,284(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$51,680
$29,663
$29,663
Tuition & Fees
$63,446
Room & Board
$18,284(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$51,680
*Average cost after aid
Academics
77%
9:1
70%
Popular Majors
MAJOR
% OF GRADUATES
ALUMNI STARTING SALARY
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
15%
N/A
International Relations and Affairs
10%
N/A
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
7%
N/A
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other
7%
N/A
Computer Science
6%
N/A
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* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.
Kahane Oxy-at-the-U.N. Program
Sponsored
One of Occidental College’s most distinctive programs, the Kahane Oxy-at-the-U.N. Program selects 16 students each fall to participate in high-level internships at the United Nations. The students move to New York City, and work for United Nations agencies, country missions (government offices), and related non-governmental organizations. It’s the nation’s only full-time residential internship program available at the United Nations.
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Pick the Perfect Major
Discover the perfect major for you based on your innate wiring. The Innate Assessment sets you up for success by pairing you with majors, colleges and careers that fit your unique skills and abilities.
Students
1,942
Graduate Enrollment
N/A
Total Enrollment
1,942
Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students
1,913
Student Diversity
Gender Distribution
Ethnic Diversity
45%
Minority Enrollment
45%
Minority Enrollment
49%
White
17%
Hispanic
13%
Asian
11%
Two or more races
5%
International
4%
Black
1%
Unknown
Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.
Campus Life
Housing and Dorms
Types of campus housing available:
Student Activities
32+
Sports Teams
4
Fraternities
4
Sororities
After College
Graduation Rate
77%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
51%
Average Debt at Graduation
$27,879
$33,671
$33,671
Graduation Rate
77%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
51%
Average Debt at Graduation
$27,879
Reviews & Ratings
See reviews and ratings of this school from students, alumni, staff and others. These reviews are not written by U.S. News and have no impact on any of the Best Colleges rankings. Read an explanation of user ratings.
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Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.
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My Fit Custom College Ranking
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