Cal State LA vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Los Angeles is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 21:1; Whittier College 8:1.

Cal State LA vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA 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 Los Angeles than Whittier College ($4,460 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 13.3% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($17,082 vs. $19,696).
• Whittier College is 617.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $44,190 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159.9% higher at Whittier College than at California State University Los Angeles (about $31,590 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at California State University Los Angeles (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 161.7% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($36,176 vs. $13,824).

Cal State LA vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA 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 LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 270 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Cal State LA (3.31).
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

Cal State LA vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA 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 Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from Whittier College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Cal State LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $12,580 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($12,920 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($133 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.