UCI vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Irvine 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 Irvine 19:1; Whittier College 8:1.

UCI vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI 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 Irvine than Whittier College ($15,889 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 10.1% lower than at University of California Irvine ($17,082 vs. $18,991).
• Whittier College is 226.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $35,628 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Whittier College than at University of California Irvine (about $1,428 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at University of California Irvine (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 56.5% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($36,176 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI 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 UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 90 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming UCI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Whittier College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

UCI vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI 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 Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($175 vs. $263).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.