Occidental College

Apply for first-year Apply for transfer

Occidental College

Apply for first-year Apply for transfer

Located in sunny Los Angeles, California, Occidental College offers students a close-knit residential community paired with the educational and cultural resources of one of the world's most dynamic cities. Students engage in an intellectually rigorous and stimulating environment, where they become leaders and agents of change in an increasingly complex and interdependent world. Nestled between the Eagle Rock and Highland Park neighborhoods of Los Angeles, students typically live on campus for all four years. Popular programs of study include Economics, Diplomacy & World Affairs, Biology, Psychology, Cognitive Science/Neuroscience, Politics, Computer Science, and Film (Media Arts & Culture).

Virtual Tour

Academic Programs

Art & Design
Economics
Education
Environmental Science/Studies
Film
Government/Political Science
Health Science
International Affairs
Liberal Arts
Music
Performing Arts
Research
Science
Social Science
Technology
Visual Arts

Student experience

Athletics
Co-op/Internship Opportunities
Disability Services
Greek Life
Intramural/Club Sports
LGBTQIA Services
Military/Veteran Services
On-Campus Housing
Study Abroad
Undergraduate Research
Veteran Fee Waiver

Additional Information

Our faculty and our curriculum embody a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in which students develop their capacity to learn from and about difference, to understand inequality, and to apply these values in the wider world.
76% of our students receive financial aid, including merit scholarships, and Occidental is committed to meeting 100% of a family's demonstrated financial need.
Discussion-based learning is at the center of the Occidental experience. The average class size is 18 and there are no classes that have over 50 students.
Historically, nearly 70% of students will pursue a study abroad experience -- including semesters abroad, summer research experiences, individual courses that take students abroad for 1-3 weeks during winter and summer breaks, and an incredibly distinct semester at the United Nations.
Beyond our warm and friendly community, what sets us apart is how the College integrates the cultural and intellectual resources of Los Angeles with the academic program. You will use Los Angeles as your laboratory. No residential liberal arts college campus is as perfectly situated within the heart of the world’s most dynamic global city.
Choose from over 40 majors and minors, or design your own course of study unique to you.
Get involved with Oxy's 100+ clubs and organizations, 15 club and intramural sports, or 20 NCAA Division III varsity sports.
86% of students hold at least one internship while at Oxy.

Visit us

We invite you to visit Occidental's beautiful residential campus, nestled between the Eagle Rock and Highland Park neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Learn more and register here.

Your visit will start with a 30-minute information session led by an admission officer, who will provide information about the academic and co-curricular opportunities available on campus and an overview of Oxy's admission and financial aid processes. Following the information session, students and their families will embark on a guided tour of campus with a student tour guide.

We also offer self-guided tours (complete with an audio tour) - you can sign up for those here.

If you are unable to visit campus in person, we offer our virtual tour at tour.oxy.edu.

My years at Occidental College sparked my interest in social and political causes, and filled me with the idea that my voice could make a difference.
Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, Class of 1983