Liberal Arts in Los Angeles
Drawing on the cultural and intellectual resources of a global city, Occidental College provides a springboard for putting theory into practice and ideas into action.
Explore Your Passions
Oxy’s remarkable faculty of scholars, teachers and mentors are at the heart of the intellectual experience. An Oxy liberal arts education transcends boundaries, and with more than 40 majors and programs, academic rigor comes in many forms.
Academic Spotlight
From producing films and curating exhibits to studying abroad and interning across Los Angeles, our MAC majors turn their vision into action.
8 : 1
student : faculty ratio
18
average class size
#4
best college food in CA (via Niche)
Discover Occidental
A vibrant, small liberal arts college experience in the heart of Los Angeles, one of the most stimulating and creative cities in the world. That’s something you won’t find anywhere else.
Scenes of Occidental
Take an aerial tour of the campus we call home.
The Oxy Community
Whether in the lab, classroom, field or community, our faculty, students and alumni define the strengths and uniqueness of Oxy in everything that they do.
Driven by her experiences in food justice and her father’s health struggles, Mariah Rutiaga Amaya found her calling in medicine. Now, she’s preparing to become a physician who centers community, advocates compassionately, and uplifts the most marginalized.
Qingxi Yang
Link to story about Qingxi YangMedia Arts & Culture (MAC) major Qingxi Yang ’28 bridges classroom learning with community engagement, collaboration, and public art in Los Angeles through Occidental College’s Education in Action program.
Samantha Acuña
Link to story about Samantha AcuñaSamantha Acuña is interested in constitutional law, immigration policy, judicial behavior, and gender-based violence.
Enrique López ’89
Link to story about Enrique López ’89From immigrant to psychology major, from circus performer to neuropsychologist, Enrique López researches the impact of HIV on the human brain. He also advocates worldwide against the stigma of HIV-AIDS in Spanish-speaking communities.
Raymond Arias
Link to story about Raymond AriasAs co-president of the Law Society, Raymond Arias ’26 has spent his college years reimagining what a pre-law club can look like at a small liberal arts college, ensuring it is not only a space for professional development, but also one rooted in connection, access, and shared growth.
Ben Ratskoff
Link to story about Ben RatskoffBen Ratskoff specializes in histories and theories of antisemitism, race, and fascism; Holocaust and genocide studies; Black diasporic culture and thought; and critical theory and cultural studies.
What’s Happening At Oxy
Featured News
Each year, the Dean of Students recognizes graduating seniors who, through their involvement on- and off-campus, embody Oxy’s four pillars of Equity, Excellence, Community and Service.
Recent News
Events
27
May
TO 28 May
11:00 am - 8:00 am
31
May
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
29
Jul
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
22
Aug
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
Occidental College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. For more detailed information please see the College's Notice of Non-Discrimination.
