Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and Whittier

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 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 is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Whittier has more expensive tuition & fees ($51,350) than Cal Poly ($33,230).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than Whittier.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 23,069 students while Whittier has 795 students.
  • Whittier has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 931 faculties while Whittier has 96 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$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
2025 Tuition & Fees$51,350
52%% Receiving Financial Aid93%
$12,264Average Amount of Financial Aid$32,501
31.32 %Acceptance Rates80.79 %
24.61 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)5.41 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate60 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate24 %
96 %Retention Rate66 %
23,069Student Population795
931Number of Faculties96
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio8 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