BYU vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Brigham Young University in Provo, UT with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brigham Young University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (35,873 students vs. 1,561 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Brigham Young University is located in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Brigham Young University 21:1; Whitman College 10:1.

BYU vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BYU or Whitman College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Brigham Young University than Whitman College ($16,694 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 31.1% lower than at Whitman College ($10,396 vs. $15,080).
• Whitman College is 857.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than BYU (about $57,362 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 857.7% higher at Whitman College than at Brigham Young University (about $57,362 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Brigham Young University (94% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 565.1% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($40,489 vs. $6,088).

BYU vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BYU or Whitman College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Whitman College and BYU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Whitman College (1400) is 30 points higher than at BYU (1370).
• Incoming Whitman College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 30 at BYU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Brigham Young University 1270/1460; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Brigham Young University 28/32; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BYU - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BYU Dec 16, 2026; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman BYU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Whitman College (3.68).
• BYU has a higher acceptance rate (67.8%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 77.5% at BYU vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

BYU vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BYU and Whitman College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Brigham Young University's (78%).
• Graduates from Brigham Young University earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Whitman College graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,100 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Whitman College graduates ($11,000 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whitman College graduates ($113 vs. $180).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BYU students, three years after graduation. (93% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.