Whittier College vs. Eckerd College

Comparable Facts

Compare Whittier College in Whittier, CA with Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eckerd College is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (1,893 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); Eckerd College is in Saint Petersburg, FL (Midsize City setting).
• Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Eckerd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Whittier College 8:1; Eckerd College 11:1.

Whittier College vs. Eckerd College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier College or Eckerd 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 Eckerd College ($28,101 vs. $43,884).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eckerd College are 13.7% lower than at Whittier College ($14,734 vs. $17,082).
• Eckerd College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whittier College (about $534 more per year; $51,884.00 vs. $51,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Eckerd College than at Whittier College (about $534 more per year; $51,884.00 vs. $51,350.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College as at Eckerd College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 45.8% larger than aid received by Eckerd College students ($36,176 vs. $24,813).

Whittier College vs. Eckerd College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eckerd College (1250) is 10 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Eckerd College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 1140/1340; Eckerd College 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30; Eckerd College 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; Eckerd College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Eckerd College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Eckerd College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 12.3% at Eckerd College.

Whittier College vs. Eckerd College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Whittier College and Eckerd 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).

• Eckerd College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from Eckerd College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whittier College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Eckerd College graduates ($25,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Whittier College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eckerd College graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eckerd College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.