UCSB vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 17:1; Whittier College 8:1.

UCSB vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB 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 Santa Barbara than Whittier College ($17,658 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 15.8% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($17,082 vs. $20,279).
• Whittier College is 212.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $34,936 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Whittier College than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $736 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at University of California Santa Barbara (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 46.5% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($36,176 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB 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 UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 110 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming UCSB 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 Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB 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 UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

UCSB vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB 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 Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $9,049 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($16,451 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($170 vs. $263).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.