San Diego State vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; Whittier College 8:1.

San Diego State vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State 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 San Diego State University than Whittier College ($14,704 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 25.8% lower than at San Diego State University ($17,082 vs. $23,030).
• Whittier College is 488.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $42,622 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.8% higher at Whittier College than at San Diego State University (about $30,022 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at San Diego State University (99% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 200.1% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($36,176 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State 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 San Diego State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 40 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

San Diego State vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State 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).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $10,151 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($15,349 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($158 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.