UCSD vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; Whittier College 8:1.

UCSD vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than Whittier College ($14,047 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 10% lower than at University of California San Diego ($17,082 vs. $18,970).
• Whittier College is 206.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $34,592 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Whittier College than at University of California San Diego (about $392 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at University of California San Diego (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 40.5% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($36,176 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 140 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Whittier College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

UCSD vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($18,500 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($191 vs. $263).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.