UC Riverside vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Riverside 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 Riverside 22:1; Whittier College 8:1.

UC Riverside vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside 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 Riverside than Whittier College ($14,562 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 17.4% lower than at University of California Riverside ($17,082 vs. $20,691).
• Whittier College is 229% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $35,744 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Whittier College than at University of California Riverside (about $1,544 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $49,806.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at University of California Riverside (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 48.5% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($36,176 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 60 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UC Riverside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

UC Riverside vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside 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 Riverside's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $6,391 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($19,109 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($197 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside 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.