Westmont College vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westmont College is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westmont College 10:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Westmont College vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westmont College or Stanford? 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 Stanford University than Westmont College ($25,078 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 20.4% lower than at Stanford University ($16,960 vs. $21,315).
• Stanford University is 23% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $12,326 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23% higher at Stanford than at Westmont College (about $12,326 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Stanford University (100% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 61.1% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($62,755 vs. $38,956).

Westmont College vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Westmont College or Stanford? 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 Stanford and Westmont College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 200 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming Stanford students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 1240/1450; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 25/32; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westmont College - Test optional; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Westmont College vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Westmont College vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westmont College and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $68,300 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $12,648 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($12,475 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $131 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($128 vs. $259).
• More Stanford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Westmont College students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 86%)

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.