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Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA·Private·https://www.oxy.edu/

Campus Identity

Ski TownNCAA D3Greek Life

Occidental College is a small private nonprofit college in Los Angeles, CA. Approximately 1,877 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 44% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 18 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 34 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 32/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Occidental College is a small private nonprofit college in Los Angeles, CA. Approximately 1,877 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 44% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 18 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 34 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 32/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

44%
Acceptance Rate
6,461 applications
33
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 31–34
$66,274
2024-25 Tuition
$38,263
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$20,280
Room & Board
1,877
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
18%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
81%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity44% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

690720750

SAT Math

690720770

Campus Lifestyle

Occidental College is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D3 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 18 miles from Santa Monica Beach, CA and 22 miles from Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC.

Athletics

NCAA D3

Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

18 miles

Santa Monica Beach, CA

Weather

Hot Climate

64°F avg school-year

Ski Town

Occidental College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC, 22 miles away. All are within 35 miles of campus.

22 mi away
34 mi away
290 skiable acres14 lifts
35 mi away
800 skiable acres4 lifts

Nearest Beach

Students at Occidental College are 18 miles from Santa Monica Beach, CA.

Santa Monica Beach, CA

Ocean access within 17.7 miles

18 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles has a warm climate, with winters averaging 58°F in Dec and summers peaking around 75°F in Aug.

58°Jan59°Feb61°Mar64°Apr66°May69°Jun73°Jul75°Aug74°Sep69°Oct63°Nov58°Dec

Station: LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Occidental College in CA earns a composite safety score of 32/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

32/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety283634
28/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
36/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
34/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$66,274
Fees
$596
Room & Board
$20,280
Total
$87,150
App Fee: $70
$38,263avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

32 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

EconomicsBachelor's
73 grads/yr$103,164
Research and Experimental PsychologyBachelor's
54 grads/yr
International Relations and National Security StudiesBachelor's
50 grads/yr$70,394
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
38 grads/yr$59,985
Computer ScienceBachelor's
31 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Economics
Bachelor's73 grads$103,164
Mathematics
Bachelor's17 grads$88,080
Cognitive Science
Bachelor's24 grads$78,782
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's18 grads$72,441
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Bachelor's7 grads$71,779
International Relations and National Security Studies
Bachelor's50 grads$70,394
Biology, General
Bachelor's38 grads$59,985
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Bachelor's23 grads$59,542
Sociology
Bachelor's16 grads$58,598
Psychology, General
Bachelor's$56,800

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Occidental College located?

Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA. The main campus address is 1600 Campus Rd, Los Angeles, CA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Occidental College?

Occidental College has an acceptance rate of 44%, making it selective. Out of 6,461 applicants, 2,854 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,877 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Occidental College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Occidental College scored between 31 and 34 on the ACT, with a median of 33. About 8% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Occidental College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Occidental College charges $66,274/year in tuition. Including room and board ($20,280/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $58,426/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $38,263/year — what students actually pay. Use Occidental College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Occidental College?

The undergraduate application fee at Occidental College is $70. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Occidental College have college sports?

Yes — Occidental College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Occidental College the right fit for me?

Whether Occidental College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (44% admit rate), avg net price ($38,263/year after aid), campus culture in Los Angeles, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Occidental College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Occidental College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.
School Year Weather
Hot · 64°F avg
App Fee
$70
On Campus Safety Score
32/100
Nearest Airport
Burbank, CA (BUR) · 10 mialso SMO (16 mi), HHR (16 mi)

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.