By the Numbers

Founded in 1887, Occidental is a small, highly selective and diverse college in a big city.

Academics

• You can major in 29 areas - including nine interdisciplinary majors - double major, declare a minor, or choose a self-designed course of study.
• We have a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. 
• Three-quarters of classes have 15 students or fewer.
• Most students take four classes per semester.
• You can take classes at Caltech or Art Center and earn joint degrees at Columbia University, Keck Graduate Institute and Caltech.
• Our faculty has been recognized for excellence in both teaching and research. Ninety-four percent above the rank of instructor have a Ph.D. or other terminal degree.
• Occidental's Undergraduate Research Program is widely regarded as one of the best in the country. 
• Each student is assigned to the College Advising Center and to a faculty contact for academic advising.

People

We are consistently named as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Student profile

• 1,868 students from 46 states, the District of Columbia and 23 foreign countries
• 56 percent women, 44 percent men
• 5.9 percent African American
• 14.6 percent Asian American
• 58 percent Caucasian
• 2.3 percent international
• 14.0 percent Latino/a
• 1.2 percent Native American
• 4 percent declined to state

Faculty profile

• 163 full-time faculty
• 6.7 percent African American
• 13.5 percent Asian American
• 10.9 percent Latino/a
• 47 percent women, 53 percent men

Location

• Occidental is located in Eagle Rock (part of the city of Los Angeles), eight miles northeast of downtown L.A.
• “A small town in the big city, Eagle Rock is a multicultural neighborhood…with upscale restaurants, coffee shops, and art galleries.” (Los Angeles Times)
• As one of only a few liberal arts colleges in a major metropolitan area, we give you access to all the cultural, educational and recreational opportunities available in Southern California.

The Campus

• Almost three-quarters of our students live in the residence halls.
• Our 13 student-governed residence halls are coed, and the focus of many educational, cultural and social activities.
• More than 100 clubs and organizations, 20 varsity and seven club sports are available.
• The beautiful campus has been featured in more than 75 movies and television shows since the first filming took place in 1919.
• Architect Myron Hunt, whose projects included the Rose Bowl and Huntington Library, designed the campus and many of its major buildings.

Admissions and Financial Aid

• This year we received more than 6,000 applications for a first-year class of approximately 465 students.
• Admission is highly selective; about 43% of applicants were admitted to the College.
• The median SAT score for admitted students is 2000.
• More than three-quarters of our students receive financial aid.
• Need-based aid and merit scholarship programs can make our costs comparable to public universities.
• We meet all of demonstrated financial need.

Tuition Costs

Estimated 2009-2010 costs for attending Occidental: