Whittier College vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

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

Seattle Pacific University is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Whittier College 8:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Whittier College vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier College or SPU? 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 Seattle Pacific University than Whittier College ($25,232 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle Pacific University are 3.5% lower than at Whittier College ($16,491 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 27.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SPU (about $10,943 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Whittier College than at Seattle Pacific University (about $10,943 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College as at Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Seattle Pacific University students ($36,176 vs. $31,558).

Whittier College vs. SPU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 50 points higher than at SPU (1190).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at SPU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 1140/1340; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at SPU (3.53).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Whittier College vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whittier College graduates have a $103 lower median loan debt than SPU graduates ($25,500 vs. $25,603).
• Among borrowers, Whittier College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SPU graduates ($263 vs. $264).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.