Academic Comparison between Whittier College and Cal Poly

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

  • Whittier College is a private (not-for-profit) and Cal Poly is a public 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

Whittier Collegevs.California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Whittier, CaliforniaLocationSan Luis Obispo, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$49,8642024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
99%% Receiving Financial Aid50%
$35,076Average Amount of Financial Aid$7,853
84.98 %Acceptance Rates30.00 %
6.02 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)28.00 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
65 %Graduation Rate85 %
26 %Transfer-out Rate1 %
70 %Retention Rate94 %
1,192Student Population22,000
114Number of Faculties881
10 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 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 servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare