Occidental College (Oxy) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Occidental College
Set on a tree-lined hillside in Northeast Los Angeles, Occidental College blends a liberal arts core with strengths in the sciences, social inquiry, and the arts. Classes are discussion-based, with hands-on research and creative work. The campus brings together labs, studios, the library, and athletics. Students use advising, tutoring, health and counseling services, and a career center that sticks with them.
Life at Oxy has a collaborative, socially aware vibe. LA energy with a neighborhood feel. Clubs, student media, intramurals keep weekends lively, and beaches and trails are close. Being in LA brings internships in entertainment, tech, nonprofits, and civic offices, plus an alumni network. Traditions gather around the quad and student-run performances. Notable names include Jack Kemp; Barack Obama attended before transferring.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Occidental College (Oxy) offers 33 degree programs across 15 major academic fields, graduating approximately 437 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Social Sciences (4 programs, 97 graduates), Arts (4 programs, 65 graduates), Biological Sciences (2 programs, 53 graduates), Interdisciplinary (2 programs, 36 graduates) and Languages (5 programs, 32 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Social Sciences (4 programs, 97 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| International Relations | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0901 |
| Political Science and Government | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
Arts (4 programs, 65 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film and Media Studies | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0601 |
| Music | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Theatre Arts | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Art Studies | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 53 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 44 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
Interdisciplinary (2 programs, 36 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural Studies and Critical Theory | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2601 |
| Cognitive Science | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2501 |
Languages (5 programs, 32 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparative Literature | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0104 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0905 |
| Foreign Languages and Literatures | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0101 |
| Chinese Language and Literature | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0301 |
| French Language and Literature | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0901 |
Psychology (1 programs, 31 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2799 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 27 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
English (1 programs, 15 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
Natural Resources (1 programs, 14 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Studies | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0103 |
Cultural Studies (4 programs, 13 graduates)
Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies and Social Group Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African American Studies | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0201 |
| American Studies | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0102 |
| East Asian Studies | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0104 |
| Area Studies | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0199 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Occidental College (Oxy).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Occidental College (Oxy)
How much does it cost to attend Occidental College (Oxy)?
The annual tuition at Occidental College (Oxy) is $63,446 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $84,800 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $18,284 (on-campus) and books and supplies $1,240.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Occidental College offer?
Occidental College (Oxy) offers 33 academic programs across 15 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (4 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (4 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (2 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (2 programs)
- Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies (5 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Occidental College?
Occidental College (Oxy) has an 39.9% acceptance rate and a 20.3% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 6,573
- Students admitted: 2,622
- Students enrolled: 532
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Occidental College?
Occidental College (Oxy) provides financial aid to 27% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $33,523 and average loans of $7,428.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,291
- State/Local grants: $9,358
- Institutional grants: $31,213
- Federal loans: $4,977
The university supports 412 students with grants and 213 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Occidental College graduates?
Occidental College (Oxy) graduates earn a median salary of $52,209 after 6 years and $75,951 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $53,141 (25th percentile) to $105,789 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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