Occidental College is a small liberal arts school in an urban setting that allows students to explore internships and other employment opportunities and go on adventures to Hollywood and Venice Beach. Founded in 1887, the college currently has a student population of just under 2,100. The school is known for having a diverse student body and a picturesque setting. (The campus has been featured in many movies and TV shows.)
A total of 45 majors are offered at Occidental College. The most popular areas of study are: economics; international relations and affairs; biology/biological sciences; art/art studies; and sociology. Class sizes remain small with a student to faculty ratio of 9.5 to 1. About 63% of classes have less than 20 students.
All undergraduates must participate in the Core Program. The program includes: two first-year writing seminars called CSPs; a set number of courses in 3 of 6 geographical areas; a 102-level language course; a course concerning the pre-1800s and one on fine arts; three math and science classes with a science lab; and a senior-year exam within the student’s major.
Students can also take courses at the California Institute of Technology. There’s also the option of studying engineering at Occidental College for three years and finishing at Caltech or Columbia University to receive a Bachelor of Arts in the Combined Plan and a Bachelor of Science in engineering. Art majors can also take classes at the Art Center College of Design in nearby Pasadena.
Outside of the classroom, there are many opportunities for an active social life. There are more than 100 student-run organizations, including the “Occidental Weekly” newspaper, KOXY radio station and CatAList TV station. The school does have a Greek presence with 8 different societies; about 16% of men are in a fraternity and 22% of women are in a sorority. Occidental also competes in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) and the NCAA Division III levels. There are 21 varsity sports teams and many intramural teams. About 25% of students participate in a sports program.
Students are required to live on campus during their first three years. There are 17 on-campus residences, and many of them are divided up into freshman, sophomore, or junior housing. All residences have computer labs, common rooms and lounges. There are also communities like the Multicultural Hall (aka Pauley), the Women’s Center and the Food Justice House. Occidental College is ideal for students looking for a diverse community filled with opportunities both in and outside the classroom.
Acceptance Rate
Class Standing
SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
Application Deadlines
Early decision (Round 1): Nov. 15
Early decision (Round 2): Jan. 1
Regular decision: Jan. 15
Transfer decision: Nov. 1 (spring), Apr. 1 (fall)
Admissions Information
Freshmen Admissions
Number of applicants: 7,501
Enrolled: 562
Yield: 20.4%
Acceptance rate: 36.7%
Early Decision Admissions
Number of ED applicants: 368
ED applicants admitted: 180
ED acceptance rate: 48.9%
Waitlist Admission Statistics
Number of waitlisted applicants: 563
Admitted off the waitlist: 20
Waitlist acceptance rate: 3.6%
Transfer Admissions
Number of transfer applicants: 473
Admitted transfer applicants: 78
Transfer acceptance rate: 16.5%
Grades
Average GPA: 3.61
Top 10% of High School: 53%
Middle SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
SAT Composite: 1320-1450
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 620-730
SAT Math: 650-750
Middle ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Composite: 28-32
ACT English: 30-35
ACT Math: 26-31
Standardized Test Requirements
SAT/ACT not required
Writing portion not required
SAT Subject Tests not required
Graduation Rates
Loan Defaults and Rhodes Scholars
Salary After Attending
R&D Expenditures
Campus Safety
Score Card Information
Graduation Rates
4 years: 80.3%
5 years: 85.7%
6 years: 85.9%
Transferred to another school: 11%
Loan default rate: 1.6%
Total Rhodes Scholars: 10
Salary after attending: $50,600
R&D Expenditures: $1.76 million
Campus Safety
Sex offenses: 16
Robberies: 0
Aggravated assaults: 0
Burglaries: 5
Car thefts: 2
Net Cost and Total Expected Cost of Attendance
Average Net Price By Income
Student Debt
Additional Information
Tuition, room and board (2020-2021): $73,176
Total estimated cost of attendance (2020-2021): $76,541
Net Cost
Average: $35,362
By income
$0 to $30,000: $13,146
$30,001 to $48,000: $17,662
$48,001 to $75,000: $19,364
$75,001 to $110,000: $27,417
$110,001 and more: $47,265
Graduates with student debt: 59%
Average student debt at graduation: $29,306
Student Residence
Undergraduate Class Sizes
Student to Faculty Ratio
Student Population
Additional Information
Student to Faculty Ratio: 9.5 to 1
Women: 58%
Undergraduate Class Sizes
Under 20: 63%
20 to 39: 36%
40 to 99: 1%
100+: 0%
Student Population
Total: 2,081 (all undergrad)
Student Residence
In State: 37%
Out of State: 56%
International: 7%
