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The Daily Insight

What is special about Occidental College?

Author

Caleb Butler

Updated on April 03, 2026

Occidental isn’t just any liberal arts college. It fully integrates the liberal arts and sciences with the cultural and intellectual resources of a global city. At Oxy, students spend as much time in the lab, the field, the community and the studio as they do in the classroom.

Is Occidental College Safe?

On-Campus Crime Stats: 207 Incidents Reported Occidental College reported 207 safety-related incidents involving students while on campus in 2019. Of the 3,990 colleges and universities that reported crime and safety data, 3,640 of them reported fewer incidents than this.

How many students go to Occidental College?

2,055 (2017)
Occidental College/Total enrollment

Are students happy at Occidental College?

The campus ranked 47th in Kiplinger’s 2013 Best Values in Private Colleges, based on academic quality and affordability. “Oxy grads are well rounded and extraordinarily happy (17th among all colleges and 11th among liberal arts schools).

What is Occidental famous for?

Academic Life at Occidental College The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 89%.

Do people like Occidental?

It is a very liberal community, and most students are interested in politics, and issues of social justice. I have really enjoyed my time so far at Oxy – my classes have been great and I love the people there.

Which president went to Occidental College?

President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama attended Occidental for two years prior to transferring to Columbia University.

What GPA do I need for Occidental College?

3.64
With a GPA of 3.64, Occidental College requires you to be above average in your high school class. You’ll need at least a mix of A’s and B’s, with more A’s than B’s. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes.

How hard is Occidental College?

The acceptance rate at Occidental College is 37.3%. For every 100 applicants, 37 are admitted. This means the school is very selective. If you meet Occidental College’s requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in.