UCLA vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Los Angeles is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 20:1; Whittier College 8:1.

UCLA vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA 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 Los Angeles than Whittier College ($14,512 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 7% lower than at University of California Los Angeles ($17,082 vs. $18,369).
• Whittier College is 237.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $36,147 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Whittier College than at University of California Los Angeles (about $1,947 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at University of California Los Angeles (99% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 41.2% larger than aid received by University of California Los Angeles students ($36,176 vs. $25,627).

UCLA vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA 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 UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 180 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming UCLA 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 Los Angeles 1300/1530; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

UCLA vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA 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 Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $9,200 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($16,300 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($168 vs. $263).
• More UCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.