Humboldt State University vs. Whittier College

Should I go to Humboldt State University or Whittier College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Humboldt State University or Whittier College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Humboldt State University vs. Whittier College comparison
Humboldt State University Whittier College College 3 College 4
Humboldt State University Whittier College
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Overview

Humboldt State University Whittier College
Location Arcata, CA Whittier, CA
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,025 1,192
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #831 #273
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website humboldt.edu whittier.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Humboldt State University Whittier College
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $48,924
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $48,924
Room & Board $12,540 $15,623
Avg Net Price $14,325 $28,368
Avg Grant Aid $9,262 $34,623
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 100%

Admission

Humboldt State University Whittier College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,505 3,014
Admitted 8,350 2,274
Acceptance Rate 98.2% 75.4%
Enrolled % 11.5% 10.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25 24/30
SAT Range 970/1190 1140/1340
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 30, 2025

Academics

Humboldt State University Whittier College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Social Sciences (22%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Humboldt State University Whittier College
Graduation Rate 40% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $201 $263

Diversity

Humboldt State University Whittier College
% Men 42% 44%
% Women 58% 56%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 31%
% Black 3% 5%
% Hispanic 33% 44%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 4%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Humboldt State University Whittier College
% In-State 91% 64%
% Out-of-State 8% 27%

Campus

Humboldt State University Whittier College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Humboldt State University is larger than than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (6,025 students vs. 1,192 students)

Humboldt State University vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Humboldt State University or Whittier College?

  • Whittier College is 752% more expensive to attend than Humboldt State University for in-state tuition ($48,924.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 177.6% higher at Whittier College than Humboldt State University ($48,924.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Humboldt State University than Whittier College ($14,325 vs. $28,368)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Humboldt State University are 24.6% lower than costs at Whittier College ($12,540 vs. $15,623)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Whittier College than Humboldt State University (100% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 273.8% larger than aid received Humboldt State University ($34,623 vs. $9,262)

Humboldt State University vs. Whittier College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Humboldt State University or Whittier College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Whittier College or Humboldt State University .

  • The average SAT score at Whittier College (1057) is 67 points higher than at Humboldt State University (990)
  • Incoming Whittier College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Humboldt State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Humboldt State University (3.33)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Whittier College (75.4%)

Humboldt State University vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Humboldt State University or Whittier College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Whittier College and Humboldt State University.

  • The graduation rate at Whittier College is higher than Humboldt State University (55% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Whittier College earn on average $8,400 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $39,000)
  • Humboldt State University students graduate with a $6,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Whittier College graduates. ($19,500 vs. $25,500)
  • Humboldt State University graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than Whittier College graduates. ($201 vs. $263)
  • More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Humboldt State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/