Our location in Los Angeles, California—one of the most vibrant, dynamic cities in the world—makes an Oxy education like no other.
Studying the liberal arts in California
Occidental College is the only small liberal arts college in Los Angeles, and the Occidental campus is located just a few miles northeast of downtown L.A. Here you get the best of both worlds: the intimacy of a picturesque, residential campus plus access to the educational, cultural, and recreational resources of a global city. L.A. serves as the ideal springboard for putting ideas into perspective and theory into practice.
Los Angeles: where anything is possible
L.A. lives up to its laid-back reputation, but under the surface the city is a hotbed of activity. The world’s third-largest metropolitan economy, it’s also the entertainment capital of the world, an international trade center, and home to the 2028 Olympics. And when it comes to career exploration, the possibilities for internships and other professional and post-graduate opportunities are endless.
A boundless classroom
Engaging with L.A. is an important aspect of the Oxy experience. Our curriculum gets you actively involved in addressing real-world issues, often with one of our many community partners. You might spend a day on the Pacific Ocean trawling for fish eggs, tutoring young students in urban schools, or conducting geology fieldwork in the Mojave Desert. And professors tap into the city’s wealth of expertise by bringing guests from a variety of fields into the classroom.
Oxy in your off-time
Southern California is known for its sandy beaches, palm trees, amazing weather year-round ... need we say more? But L.A. is also home to world-class museums, theaters and music venues; scenic hiking trails; impactful volunteer opportunities; and restaurants from every country on the map. Quite literally, there’s something for everyone.
