California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Whittier College 8:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt than Whittier College ($14,090 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 17.4% lower than at Whittier College ($14,118 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 522.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $43,100 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 146.3% higher at Whittier College than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $30,500 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (99% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 236.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($36,176 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 160 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Whittier College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($201 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.