At a Glance
Whittier College is a small private nonprofit university in Whittier, CA. Approximately 764 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 81% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 16 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 26 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.
Location
Whittier, CA
Campus Identity
Whittier College is a small private nonprofit university in Whittier, CA. Approximately 764 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 81% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 16 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 26 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.
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@whittiercollege
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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 16 miles from Mother's Beach, CA and 26 miles from Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC.
Athletics
NCAA D3
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.
School Size & Setting
Under 1,000
Suburban setting
Beach Access
16 miles
Mother's Beach, CA
Weather
Hot Climate
64°F avg school-year
Greek Life at Whittier College
At Whittier College, 15% of men are in a fraternity and 30% of women are in a sorority. That is a substantial Greek presence: large enough to shape the social scene without being the only way into it. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.
15%
Men in fraternities
30%
Women in sororities
Greek Life Dominant
Greek life scale
Nearby Ski Resorts
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 16 miles from Mother's Beach, CA.
Mother's Beach, CA
Ocean access within 16.0 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 enrolled.
How many students attend Whittier College?
Whittier College enrolls 764 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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.
What NCAA division is Whittier College in?
Whittier College competes in NCAA Division III, part of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.. Division III programs compete without athletic scholarships and emphasize academics alongside varsity sport.
What percentage of students at Whittier College are in Greek life?
At Whittier College, 15% of men are in a fraternity and 30% of women are in a sorority. That is a substantial Greek presence: large enough to shape the social scene without being the only route into it. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.
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)