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.
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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
29.75 %Acceptance Rates85.38 %
27.83 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)6.07 %
-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