SCU vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Clara University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; Whitman College 10:1.

SCU vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU 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 Whitman College than SCU ($37,633 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 24.2% lower than at Santa Clara University ($15,080 vs. $19,893).
• Whitman College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $2,757 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Whitman College than at Santa Clara University (about $2,757 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Santa Clara University (94% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 42.7% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($40,489 vs. $28,368).

SCU vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCU 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 SCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 20 points higher than at Whitman College (1400).
• Incoming SCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Whitman College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 1350/1490; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 31/33; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whitman College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

SCU vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU 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 Santa Clara University's (85%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $25,000 more per year than Whitman College graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($17,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($180 vs. $222).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation. (93% vs. 84%)

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.