During these early years, Kerr and the other founders decided that a liberal arts curriculum was the best direction for the school.

Set in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Westmont's wooded and scenic acres provide an environment for a residential college.

The grounds still feature the pathways, stone bridges, and garden atmosphere typical of Montecito, a suburb of Santa Barbara.

While Westmont has sought to preserve and use the original structures, it has also built new facilities, including Voskuyl Library, the restored Westmont Art Center, the A. Nelson Science Building, the Murchison Gymnasium Complex, and the Ruth Kerr Memorial Student Center.

In 2008 Westmont broke ground for the construction of the Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics and the Adams Center for the Visual Arts.

[6][7] In September 2009 Westmont was informed that the donor withdrew the pledged $75 million gift, which caused the college to put off construction of two new buildings.

[8] Westmont is located in a high fire area with limited access via narrow winding roads.

[13] On November 13, 2008, the steep and wooded Westmont campus was heavily damaged in the Tea Fire, which started in the hills near Montecito.

Doors and openings were sealed with masking tape to prevent smoke entry and a ventilation system was activated.

In the early morning after the immediate danger had passed, students were allowed to access their cars in certain parking lots and leave the campus.

[27] The Templeton Foundation has recognized Westmont as one of the nation's top 100 colleges committed to character development.

[28] Westmont offers 26 majors and has a student/faculty ratio of 12 to 1 with 96 percent of tenured and tenure-track faculty having earned terminal degrees.

Additionally, some students can apply to participate in other qualifying programs, including semesters in New Zealand, Belize, Washington DC, Chile, Italy, France, and Lithuania.

[35] Students must agree to avoid "homosexual practice" which has at times been understood to forbid not only same-sex sexual activity and relationships but also coming out of the closet.

[39] Westmont is exempt from certain sections of Title IX (meaning they can discriminate against certain students as they see fit), even though they claim otherwise of their website.

Potter's Clay is a popular ministry program that occurs every year in Ensenada, Mexico, during Westmont's spring break.

Students interact with the local population and churches to help with construction, Vacation Bible School, and medical work.

The college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) for most of its sports since the 1986–87 academic year; while its women's swimming team competes in the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference (PCSC).

On July 14, 2022, Westmont College has been notified by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that it has been accepted into the multi-year membership process for Division II, while subsequently joining the Pacific West Conference (PacWest), effective beginning the 2023–24 academic year.