OSU vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oregon State University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (37,163 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oregon State University 18:1; Whitman College 10:1.

OSU vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OSU or Whitman 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 Oregon State University than Whitman College ($22,467 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 8% lower than at Oregon State University ($15,080 vs. $16,386).
• Whitman College is 344.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than OSU (about $49,650 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $14,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.7% higher at Whitman College than at Oregon State University (about $25,860 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $38,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Oregon State University (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 260.5% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($40,489 vs. $11,230).

OSU vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OSU or Whitman 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 Whitman College and OSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whitman College (1400) is 130 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming Whitman College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at OSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oregon State University 1140/1400; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oregon State University 24/31; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OSU - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OSU Feb 1, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whitman College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at OSU (3.61).
• OSU has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at OSU vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

OSU vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OSU and Whitman 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($17,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($180 vs. $242).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU students, three years after graduation. (93% vs. 66%)

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.