UCSC vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSC vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC 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 Cruz than Whittier College ($18,059 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 14.4% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($17,082 vs. $19,948).
• Whittier College is 220.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $35,345 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Whittier College than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $1,145 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at University of California Santa Cruz (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 58.8% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($36,176 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC 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 UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 20 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming UCSC 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 Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

UCSC vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC 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 Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $5,541 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($19,959 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($206 vs. $263).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.