USF vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Francisco is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (8,913 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Francisco 11:1; Whittier College 8:1.

USF vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF 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 Whittier College than USF ($28,101 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 13.6% lower than at University of San Francisco ($17,082 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whittier College (about $9,142 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $51,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at USF than at Whittier College (about $9,142 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $51,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at University of San Francisco (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 4.2% larger than aid received by University of San Francisco students ($36,176 vs. $34,723).

USF vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF 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 USF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 50 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming USF students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Whittier College (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 1190/1390; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 25/30; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF - Test optional; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at USF (3.57).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at USF vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

USF vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF 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 San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $23,000 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Francisco graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, USF graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More USF 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.