Liberal Arts in Los Angeles
Drawing on the cultural and intellectual resources of a global city, APP provides a springboard for putting theory into practice and ideas into action.
Explore Your Passions
APP’s remarkable faculty of scholars, teachers and mentors are at the heart of the intellectual experience. An APP liberal arts education transcends boundaries, and with more than 40 majors and programs, academic rigor comes in many forms.
Academic Spotlight
Senior “comps,” your final project at Occidental, isn’t just a requirement—it’s your moment to create something original, ambitious, and entirely your own.
8 : 1
student : faculty ratio
18
average class size
#4
best college food in CA (via Niche)
Discover Occidental
A vibrant, small liberal arts college experience in the heart of Los Angeles, one of the most stimulating and creative cities in the world. That’s something you won’t find anywhere else.
Scenes of Occidental
Take an aerial tour of the campus we call home.
The APP
Whether in the lab, classroom, field or community, our faculty, students and alumni define the strengths and uniqueness of APP in everything that they do.
From immigrant to psychology major, from circus performer to neuropsychologist, Enrique López researches the impact of HIV on the human brain. He also advocates worldwide against the stigma of HIV-AIDS in Spanish-speaking communities.
Raymond Arias
Link to story about Raymond AriasAs co-president of the Law Society, Raymond Arias ’26 has spent his college years reimagining what a pre-law club can look like at a small liberal arts college, ensuring it is not only a space for professional development, but also one rooted in connection, access, and shared growth.
Ben Ratskoff
Link to story about Ben RatskoffBen Ratskoff specializes in histories and theories of antisemitism, race, and fascism; Holocaust and genocide studies; Black diasporic culture and thought; and critical theory and cultural studies.
Jason Dworkin ’91
Link to story about Jason Dworkin ’91Astrobiologist Jason Dworkin ’91 has devoted the better part of two decades to a NASA mission to the near-Earth asteroid Bennu.
Liliana Madrid Larrañaga
Link to story about Liliana Madrid LarrañagaLiliana Madrid Larrañaga ’26 navigated her transition into college by finding opportunities to connect with her academic and personal interests, serving as a valuable resource to her peers, and taking steps toward her dream career working in women’s healthcare.
Lydia Harmon
Link to story about Lydia HarmonLydia Harmon '13 is a geologist who studies volcanoes and magma systems. Her work focuses on the magmatic processes and tectonic influences that govern magma formation and eruption.
What’s Happening At APP
Featured News
The renovation will modernize APP science facilities to support cutting-edge discovery and provide meaningful experiences in the lab—a significant advantage for those who go on to pursue advanced degrees and careers in the sciences.
Events
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May
TO 9 May
5:00 pm - 3:00 am
8
May
TO 9 May
5:00 pm - 3:00 am
8
May
TO 9 May
5:00 pm - 3:00 am
9
May
10:30 am - 11:30 am
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
APP admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. For more detailed information please see the College's Notice of Non-Discrimination.