Whittier College vs. Canisius

Comparable Facts

Compare Whittier College in Whittier, CA with Canisius University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Canisius University is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (2,451 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Whittier College vs. Canisius Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier College or Canisius? 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 Canisius University than Whittier College ($19,666 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Canisius University are 20.6% lower than at Whittier College ($13,560 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 48.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Canisius (about $16,850 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at Whittier College than at Canisius University (about $16,850 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Canisius University than at Whittier College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Canisius University students ($36,176 vs. $24,972).

Whittier College vs. Canisius Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 50 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Canisius).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 1140/1340; Canisius University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30; Canisius University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; Canisius - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Canisius students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Canisius (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 13.1% at Canisius.

Whittier College vs. Canisius Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Canisius University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from Canisius University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($24,750 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($255 vs. $263).
• More Canisius graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.