Academic Comparison between Cal State LA and Whittier

California State University-Los Angeles and Whittier College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cal State LA is a four-year, public school located in Los Angeles, 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 State LA 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 State LA ($19,764).
  • It is harder to admit to Whittier than Cal State LA.
  • Cal State LA has more students with 23,163 students while Whittier has 795 students.
  • Whittier has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while Cal State LA's ratio is 21 to 1.
  • Cal State LA has more full-time faculties with 680 faculties while Whittier has 96 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California State University-Los Angelesvs.Whittier College
Los Angeles, CaliforniaLocationWhittier, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$7,164
Out-Of-State$19,764
2025 Tuition & Fees$51,350
85%% Receiving Financial Aid93%
$12,761Average Amount of Financial Aid$32,501
91.25 %Acceptance Rates80.79 %
9.42 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)5.41 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
53 %Graduation Rate60 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate24 %
72 %Retention Rate66 %
23,163Student Population795
680Number of Faculties96
21 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