Whittier College vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Merced is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Whittier College 8:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Whittier College vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier College or UC Merced? 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 University of California Merced than Whittier College ($13,690 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 20.3% lower than at University of California Merced ($17,082 vs. $21,445).
• Whittier College is 228.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $35,727 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Whittier College than at University of California Merced (about $1,527 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $49,823.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at University of California Merced (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 32.6% larger than aid received by University of California Merced students ($36,176 vs. $27,292).

Whittier College vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 190 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 1140/1340; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Whittier College vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Whittier College and UC Merced? 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).

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $5,601 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($19,899 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($205 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

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.