Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and Whittier College

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Whittier College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cal Poly is a four-year, public school located in San Luis Obispo, CA and Whittier College is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Whittier, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Cal Poly is a public and Whittier College is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Whittier College has more expensive tuition & fees ($49,864) than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than Whittier College.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 22,000 students while Whittier College has 1,192 students.
  • Whittier College has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 881 faculties while Whittier College has 114 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Cal Poly Whittier College
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.Whittier College
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationWhittier, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
2024 Tuition & Fees$49,864
50%% Receiving Financial Aid99%
$7,853Average Amount of Financial Aid$35,076
30.00 %Acceptance Rates84.98 %
28.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)6.02 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
85 %Graduation Rate65 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate26 %
94 %Retention Rate70 %
22,000Student Population1,192
881Number of Faculties114
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services