About Whittier College
The sticker price of $49,864 for tuition might make parents gulp, but most families pay much less. The average net price drops to $29,871 after aid, and families earning under $30,000 typically pay just $22,678. Graduates earn a median of $59,492 ten years after college with $24,937 in debt. Those numbers suggest a reasonable return on investment, especially for students who thrive in small classroom settings where professors actually know their names.
The student body is 49% Hispanic, making this one of the more diverse small liberal arts colleges in California. About 74% of students come from California, creating a campus where most people understand the local culture. The retention rate of 53% is concerning and suggests the school isn't the right fit for everyone who enrolls.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 76.2%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 64.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 63.4%
- Retention Rate
- 52.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $59,492
- Carnegie Classification
- Liberal Arts College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Education, General. | Master | $67,324 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $41,689 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $35,914 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $33,281 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $28,309 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $27,765 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $26,715 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $21,508 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor | $18,315 |
Campus Life
The small size means you'll know most faces on campus within a few months. With an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, professors actually know your name and notice when you miss class. About 49% of students are Hispanic, making this one of the more diverse small liberal arts colleges in California. The Quaker heritage still influences campus culture, emphasizing community service and social responsibility. Weekends often revolve around campus activities since 73.64% of students come from within California but still live on campus. Students frequently head to Los Angeles for concerts, beaches, or internships, though many stick around for intramural sports or campus events. The Poets compete in 16 Division III sports with 246 total athletes, so games draw decent crowds despite the small enrollment.
- Setting
- Suburb-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 793 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1887
Campus Safety (2023)
26 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fondling | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Arson | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 46°–68°F
- July Avg
- 66°–84°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 11.9"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 40.6%
- Women
- 59.4%
- White
- 22.8%
- Black
- 3.7%
- Hispanic
- 49.0%
- Asian
- 5.3%
- In-State Students
- 73.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 31.9%
Location
- Address
- Whittier, California 90601
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $59,492
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $57,770
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $37,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 67.3%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $264/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $24,937
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Whittier College?
Whittier College accepts 75.45% of applicants, making it fairly accessible for prospective students. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1140 and 1340 on the SAT. This liberal arts college values its close-knit community over highly selective admissions.
How much does Whittier College cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Whittier College is $29,871 after aid, lower than the full cost of attendance at $66,487. About 32% of students receive institutional grants averaging $34,623. Students typically graduate with $24,937 in debt and monthly loan payments of $264.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Whittier College?
Whittier College maintains an 8:1 student-faculty ratio with just 812 total students enrolled. This intimate setting reflects the college's Quaker heritage emphasis on close mentoring relationships. The small size allows for personalized attention that larger universities cannot provide.
What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Whittier College?
Whittier College graduates 64.37% of students in four years, with a 92.6% employment rate after graduation. Alumni earn a median of $59,492 ten years after graduation. However, the retention rate of 52.85% suggests some students struggle with the transition to college life.
Where is Whittier College located and what is campus life like?
Whittier College sits in suburban Whittier, California, with housing capacity for 793 students. The campus serves 59.36% women and 40.64% men, with 49.01% Hispanic students making up the largest demographic group. The Poets compete in 16 NCAA Division III sports with 246 total athletes.
What is Whittier College most famous for historically?
Whittier College is best known as the alma mater of Richard Nixon, the 37th U.S. President who graduated in 1934. Founded in 1887 with strong Quaker roots, the college was named after poet John Greenleaf Whittier. The school's teams are called the Poets in honor of this literary connection.
