Whittier College vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Whittier College in Whittier, CA with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Wesleyan University is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (1,853 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Whittier College 8:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Whittier College vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier College or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Whittier College ($21,267 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 30.2% lower than at Whittier College ($11,930 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $13,850 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at Whittier College than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $13,850 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Whittier College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 20.9% larger than aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students ($36,176 vs. $29,923).

Whittier College vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 10 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming VWC 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; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at VWC (3.39).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Whittier College vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Whittier College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Whittier College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whittier College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($25,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Whittier College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.