Occidental College. Founded in 1887 is a small. Highly selective and diverse college located in LOS angeles. Fiske. Peterson S. And other major college guides have cited the college AS ONE of the country S best small colleges. With nearly 1.850 students. An average class size of 21. And a 10.5:1 STUDENT-FACULTY ratio. Occidental offers individual academic attention, a friendly residential community and access to a variety of personal and intellectual opportunities. The college has 30 areas in which to major - including nine interdisciplinary majors - double major, a minor. Or a SELF-DESIGNED course of study. Classes are available AT Caltech or ART center and joint degrees MAY BE earned AT columbia university. Keck graduate institute and Caltech. Occidental S faculty has been recognized for excellence in both teaching and research. More than 98 percent of the faculty above the rank of instructor has a PH. D. Or other terminal degree.