Occidental College

9/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
4.5 2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in California

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

1,881

Location Los Angeles, California
Website oxy.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Large City

Best Colleges Rank

#75

Size Small
Status Non-profit
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.

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Ratings

Oxy is rated within the top 17% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10.

Overall Rating

9 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

8 out of 10
Value

7 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Occidental College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Elite

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1380/1520
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 31/34
GPA 3.63

Acceptance Rate

44.2%

Applications Due Jan 10, 2027
Enrollment Rate 17.8%
Application Fee $70

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$66,274

Costs for Occidental College
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$66,274
Books and Supplies		$1,250
Other Fees		$596
Room and Board		$19,252
Budget for Other Expenses		$1,880
Total One Year Cost		$89,252

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$56,600 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

83% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Occidental College are Social Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts, and Psychology. 32% of students major in Social Sciences, 10% in Visual and Performing Arts, and 9% in Psychology.