UC Berkeley vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with Whittier College in Whittier, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Whittier College 8:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley 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 University of California Berkeley than Whittier College ($16,538 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 28.1% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($17,082 vs. $23,750).
• Whittier College is 214.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $35,003 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Whittier College than at University of California Berkeley (about $803 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at University of California Berkeley (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 22.2% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($36,176 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 180 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Whittier College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

UC Berkeley vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley 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).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $11,300 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($14,200 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($146 vs. $263).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 69%)

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.