Campus Identity
Whittier College is a small private nonprofit university in Whittier, CA. Approximately 764 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 81% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 17 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 31 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 37/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Follow Along
@whittiercollege
Follow on Instagram
@whittiercollege
Follow on X (Twitter)
At a Glance
Whittier College is a small private nonprofit university in Whittier, CA. Approximately 764 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 81% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 17 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 31 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 37/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Campus Lifestyle
Whittier College is a under 1,000, suburban school with NCAA D3 athletics and a greek life dominant Greek scene. The campus is 17 miles from Seal Beach, CA and 26 miles from Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC.
Athletics
NCAA D3
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.
Greek Life
Greek Life Dominant
15% frats · 30% sororities
School Size & Setting
Under 1,000
Suburban setting
Beach Access
17 miles
Seal Beach, CA
Weather
Hot Climate
64°F avg school-year
Ski Town
Whittier College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC, 26 miles away. All are within 34 miles of campus.
California
California
California
Nearest Beach
Students at Whittier College are 17 miles from Seal Beach, CA.
Seal Beach, CA
Ocean access within 16.9 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Whittier, CA
Whittier has a warm climate, with winters averaging 57°F in Dec and summers peaking around 77°F in Aug.
Station: FULLERTON MUNICIPAL Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Whittier College in CA earns a composite safety score of 37/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $51,350 |
| Fees | $590 |
| Room & Board | $15,729 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $67,669 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
34 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Whittier College located?
Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA. The main campus address is 13406 E Philadelphia Street, Whittier, CA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Whittier College?
Whittier College has an acceptance rate of 81%, making it accessible. Out of 4,778 applicants, 3,860 were admitted in the most recent year. 764 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Whittier College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Whittier College scored between ? and ? on the ACT, with a median of 26. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Whittier College?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Whittier College charges $51,350/year in tuition. Including room and board ($15,729/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $49,514/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,757/year — what students actually pay. Use Whittier College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
Does Whittier College have college sports?
Yes — Whittier College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.
Is Whittier College the right fit for me?
Whether Whittier College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (81% admit rate), avg net price ($25,757/year after aid), campus culture in Whittier, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Whittier College against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Whittier College directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Whittier, CA
- Size
- Under 1,000
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's
- NCAA
- NCAA D3
- Conference
- Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.
- School Year Weather
- Hot · 64°F avg
- On Campus Safety Score
- 37/100
- Nearest Airport
- Long Beach, CA (LGB) · 13 mialso HHR (18 mi), LAX (22 mi)
Location
Whittier, CA