Cal State Long Beach vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA with Whittier College in Whittier, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Whittier College 8:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or Whittier 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 California State University Long Beach than Whittier College ($10,607 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 8.6% lower than at Whittier College ($15,612 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 598.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $44,000 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 157.4% higher at Whittier College than at California State University Long Beach (about $31,400 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at California State University Long Beach (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 206.7% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($36,176 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Long Beach or Whittier College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Whittier College and Cal State Long Beach.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 110 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Cal State Long Beach).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and Whittier College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Whittier College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($155 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 69%)

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.