Academic Comparison between UC Santa Cruz and Whittier College

University of California-Santa Cruz and Whittier College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UC Santa Cruz is a four-year, public school located in Santa Cruz, 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.

  • UC Santa Cruz 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 UC Santa Cruz ($45,337).
  • It is harder to admit to UC Santa Cruz than Whittier College.
  • UC Santa Cruz has more students with 19,478 students while Whittier College has 1,192 students.
  • Whittier College has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while UC Santa Cruz's ratio is 23 to 1.
  • UC Santa Cruz has more full-time faculties with 688 faculties while Whittier College has 114 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Santa Cruzvs.Whittier College
Santa Cruz, CaliforniaLocationWhittier, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$14,560
Out-Of-State$45,337
2024 Tuition & Fees$49,864
65%% Receiving Financial Aid99%
$20,896Average Amount of Financial Aid$35,076
62.54 %Acceptance Rates85.38 %
10.18 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)6.07 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
76 %Graduation Rate65 %
5 %Transfer-out Rate26 %
88 %Retention Rate70 %
19,478Student Population1,192
688Number of Faculties114
23 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), 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