The average acceptance rate at Whittier over the past 10 years is 73.52%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 80.79%. Compared to the previous year, it became slightly more competitive to gain admission to Whittier in 2025. The acceptance rate at Whittier is relatively high, giving applicants a greater chance of admission.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 10.15%, and the 2025 yield is 5.41%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 60.44% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of Whittier applicants increased by 70.83% (1,981 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 7.97% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 80.79%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that Whittier is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 5.41%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at Whittier. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, Whittier received approximately 4,778 applications, admitted 3,860 students, and enrolled 209 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing Whittier's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
Whittier 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Whittier over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 73.52%, while the most recent rate stands at 80.79%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 80.79%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 71.82% and for women is 75.33%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Whittier have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 62.62% | 61.41% | 63.40% |
| 2016-17 | 69.45% 6.84% |
67.66% 6.25% |
70.65% 7.25% |
| 2017-18 | 74.09% 4.63% |
72.18% 4.53% |
75.38% 4.73% |
| 2018-19 | 75.95% 1.86% |
74.51% 2.33% |
76.88% 1.50% |
| 2019-20 | 57.11% -18.84% |
56.54% -17.97% |
57.47% -19.40% |
| 2020-21 | 72.33% 15.22% |
68.36% 11.82% |
74.96% 17.49% |
| 2021-22 | 82.00% 9.67% |
80.03% 11.67% |
84.02% 9.06% |
| 2022-23 | 75.45% -6.56% |
74.14% -5.89% |
80.36% -3.66% |
| 2023-24 | 85.38% 9.93% |
84.18% 10.04% |
87.20% 6.84% |
| 2024-25 | 80.79% -4.59% |
79.24% -4.93% |
83.00% -4.20% |
| Average | 73.52% | 71.82% | 75.33% |
Whittier has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 13.69% in 2015 to 5.41% in 2025, representing a 60.44% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 10.15%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Whittier from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 60.44% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 13.69% | 15.04% | 12.84% |
| 2016-17 | 11.92% -1.77% |
14.59% -0.44% |
10.22% -2.62% |
| 2017-18 | 12.16% 0.24% |
14.01% -0.58% |
10.95% 0.74% |
| 2018-19 | 10.84% -1.32% |
12.18% -1.84% |
10.00% -0.95% |
| 2019-20 | 11.93% 1.10% |
13.85% 1.67% |
10.75% 0.75% |
| 2020-21 | 6.56% -5.38% |
7.22% -6.63% |
6.16% -4.59% |
| 2021-22 | 12.01% 5.45% |
11.97% 4.75% |
10.99% 4.83% |
| 2022-23 | 10.95% -1.06% |
12.14% 0.17% |
9.70% -1.29% |
| 2023-24 | 6.07% -4.88% |
4.87% -7.27% |
6.84% -2.86% |
| 2024-25 | 5.41% -0.66% |
5.56% 0.69% |
5.11% -1.74% |
| Average | 10.15% | 11.14% | 9.36% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 4,808, the average number of admitted is 3,449, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 352.
The number of Whittier applicants increased by 70.83% (1,981 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 7.97% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Whittier College from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 5,192 | 3,251 | 445 |
| 2016-17 | 5,146 -0.89% |
3,574 9.94% |
426 -4.27% |
| 2017-18 | 5,773 12.18% |
4,277 19.67% |
520 22.07% |
| 2018-19 | 6,220 7.74% |
4,724 10.45% |
512 -1.54% |
| 2019-20 | 7,233 16.29% |
4,131 -12.55% |
493 -3.71% |
| 2020-21 | 5,038 -30.35% |
3,644 -11.79% |
239 -51.52% |
| 2021-22 | 2,884 -42.76% |
2,365 -35.10% |
284 18.83% |
| 2022-23 | 3,014 4.51% |
2,274 -3.85% |
249 -12.32% |
| 2023-24 | 2,797 -7.20% |
2,388 5.01% |
145 -41.77% |
| 2024-25 | 4,778 70.83% |
3,860 61.64% |
209 44.14% |
| Average | 4,808 | 3,449 | 352 |
The following table compares Whittier College' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whittier College | 85.38% | 80.79% | -5.38% |
| University of Southern California | 9.81% | 10.02% | -2.10% |
| University of the People | - | - | - |
| National University | - | - | - |
| Stanford University | 3.61% | 3.91% | -7.67% |
| California Baptist University | 84.88% | 73.57% | 15.37% |
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