By the Numbers

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

Academics

You can major in 30 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-two percent above the rank of instructor have a Ph.D. or other terminal degree.
Each student is assigned a faculty advisor. You meet with your advisor at least twice during orientation and throughout the year.

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

Student profile

1,825 students from 46 states, the District of Columbia and 21 foreign countries
56 percent women, 44 percent men
6.8 percent African American
14.9 percent Asian American
55.6 percent Caucasian
2.7 percent international
15.2 percent Latino/a
1 percent Native American
8 percent declined to state

Faculty profile

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.

Almost three-quarters of our students live in the residence halls.
Our 11 student-governed residence halls are coed, and the focus of many educational, cultural and social activities.
Almost 100 clubs and organizations, 19 varsity and 12 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.

This year we received more than 5,200 applications for a first-year class of approximately 455 students.
Admission is highly selective; about 44% of applicants were admitted to the College.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1990, including the new writing test.
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.

Estimated 2007-2008 costs for attending Occidental: