Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA with Whittier College in Whittier, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Saint Mary's University is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (2,312 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Saint Mary's University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1; Whittier College 8:1.

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Mount Saint Mary's University than Whittier College ($27,368 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Saint Mary's University are 9.2% lower than at Whittier College ($15,518 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount Saint Mary's University (about $1,786 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $49,564.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Whittier College than at Mount Saint Mary's University (about $1,786 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $49,564.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at Whittier College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Whittier College students ($39,218 vs. $36,176).

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Mount Saint Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 230 points higher than at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at Mount Saint Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Mount Saint Mary's University (3.59).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Mount Saint Mary's University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Saint Mary's University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Mount Saint Mary's University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Saint Mary's University 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.