California State University-Northridge vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Northridge is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Northridge 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 Northridge 25:1; Whittier College 8:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge 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 Northridge than Whittier College ($7,536 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 19.2% lower than at Whittier College ($13,804 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 588.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $43,892 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156% higher at Whittier College than at California State University Northridge (about $31,292 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at California State University Northridge (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 182.1% larger than aid received by California State University Northridge students ($36,176 vs. $12,825).

California State University-Northridge vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Northridge 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 California State University-Northridge.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 230 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 19 at California State University-Northridge).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 900/1110; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 16/22; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Northridge - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at California State University-Northridge (3.38).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at California State University-Northridge vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

California State University-Northridge vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Northridge 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 Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from California State University Northridge earn a median of about $100 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $11,304 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($14,196 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($146 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.