Whittier College vs. Houghton University

Comparable Facts

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

Houghton University is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (1,200 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); Houghton University is in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting).
• Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Whittier College 8:1; Houghton University 12:1.

Whittier College vs. Houghton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier College or Houghton University? 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 Houghton University than Whittier College ($21,274 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 33.5% lower than at Whittier College ($11,360 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 178.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Houghton University (about $32,920 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 178.6% higher at Whittier College than at Houghton University (about $32,920 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Whittier College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 265.3% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($36,176 vs. $9,902).

Whittier College vs. Houghton University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houghton University (1270) is 30 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming Houghton University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Whittier College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 1140/1340; Houghton University 1170/1375.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30; Houghton University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; Houghton University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Houghton University has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 23.2% at Houghton University.

Whittier College vs. Houghton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Whittier College and Houghton University? 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).

• Houghton University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from Whittier College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Houghton University and Whittier College graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,500 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Houghton University and Whittier College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($263 vs. $263).
• More Houghton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.