Whittier College vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Whittier College in Whittier, CA with California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Monterey Bay is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Whittier College 8:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Whittier College vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier College or CSUMB? 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 California State University Monterey Bay than Whittier College ($14,493 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 0.9% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($17,082 vs. $17,234).
• Whittier College is 560.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $43,571 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152% higher at Whittier College than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $30,971 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at California State University Monterey Bay (99% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 196.9% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($36,176 vs. $12,185).

Whittier College vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Whittier College or CSUMB? 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 CSUMB and Whittier College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 180 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 1140/1340; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Whittier College vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Whittier College and CSUMB? 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).

• Whittier College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from Whittier College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($14,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($144 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSUMB students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.