Overview
Occidental College is a private liberal arts college in Los Angeles, California, with its campus at 1600 Campus Road in the northeast of the city.
The college admits students to the institution as a whole rather than to a specific major, and the curriculum leaves room to explore before declaring. Undergraduates choose from more than 45 majors, minors and programs, including interdisciplinary fields such as Cognitive Science, Diplomacy and World Affairs, and Urban and Environmental Policy.
Small classes and close work with faculty are central to the approach. Every student completes an interdisciplinary Core Program and a Senior Comps project, and many take part in faculty research, study abroad, or internships across the city through InternLA.
Pre-health and pre-law advising are available, and a 3-2 engineering program is offered with Caltech or Columbia University.
First-year applicants may apply through Early Decision, Early Action or Regular Decision, and the college does not charge an application fee. It states that it meets the full demonstrated financial need of U.S.
citizens, permanent residents and undocumented students, and that admitted Early Decision applicants receive a Commitment Scholarship. International students can find separate application and financial aid guidance on the admission pages.
Location & Contact
Occidental College's physical location and contact details are listed below.
Academic Details
A snapshot of Occidental College's academic profile — enrolment, staffing, and recognition.
Academic Structures
Occidental College's academic units are listed below, by type.
Unit 50 items
- American Studies
- Art & Art History
- Asian Studies
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Black Studies
- Chemistry
- Chinese Studies
- Classical Studies
- Cognitive Science
- Comparative Studies in Literature & Culture
- Computer Science
- Critical Theory & Social Justice
- Data Science
- Diplomacy & World Affairs
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering Program
- English
- Environmental Science
- Food Studies
- French Studies
- Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies
- Geology
- German Studies
- History
- Interdisciplinary Writing
- Japanese Studies
- Kinesiology
- Latino/a & Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Marine Biology
- Marine Biology at Occidental Our close proximity to the Pacific Ocean offers you a matchless living laboratory for study
- Mathematics
- Media Arts & Culture
- Molecular & Cell Biology
- Music
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Politics
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Religious Studies
- Russian Studies
- Sociology
- Southwest Asia & North African Studies
- Spanish Studies
- Theater & Performance Studies
- Urban & Environmental Policy
Programs Offered
Occidental College's programme list, with search and degree-level grouping.
43 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United States
Bachelor's Degree 43 programmes
Showing 10 of 43.
Scholarships in United States
the United States-wide scholarships, relevant to students considering Occidental College or other institutions there.
How to apply to Occidental College
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Occidental College, in five steps.
-
1
Identify the right programme
Use the programme finder to browse Occidental College's 43 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
-
2
Check entry requirements
Programme-level requirements at Occidental College typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
-
3
Prepare your application documents
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
-
4
Submit via the institution
Occidental College processes applications through www.oxy.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
-
5
Get in touch with admissions
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at 323-259-2500. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Occidental College
A short Q&A covering Occidental College's essentials — founding, location, and structure.
When was Occidental College founded?
Occidental College was established in 1887 (approximately 139 years ago).
Where can I find Occidental College?
The institution is located in Los Angeles, United States.
What is Occidental College's control type?
Occidental College operates as a private institution.
How many students does Occidental College have?
The institution has a student body of 1,877.
What is Occidental College's academic structure?
Occidental College is organised into 50 academic units across its disciplines.
What is Occidental College's official website?
The institution's website is www.oxy.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
International student mix at the United States's top universities tends to be higher than at lower-ranked institutions. This affects campus culture and the value of student networks for international students.
Faculties at nearby universities
Below are universities in the same area as Occidental College.
Where Else to Study Linguistics & Language Studies
Other institutions in the United States teaching Linguistics & Language Studies are listed below for comparison with Occidental College.
Universities Compared with Occidental College
The institutions below are of a similar academic scale to Occidental College.
Studying in United States: guides and resources
Spotted something outdated or missing?
Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.
Save this university to your shortlist
Save universities and programs, follow countries, and get deadline reminders by email. Free, takes a few seconds.
