Academic Comparison between UCSD and Whittier

University of California-San Diego and Whittier College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UCSD is a four-year, public school located in La Jolla, 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.

  • UCSD 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 UCSD ($47,676).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSD than Whittier.
  • UCSD has more students with 44,256 students while Whittier has 795 students.
  • Whittier has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while UCSD's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UCSD has more full-time faculties with 3,101 faculties while Whittier has 96 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-San Diegovs.Whittier College
La Jolla, 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$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
2025 Tuition & Fees$51,350
59%% Receiving Financial Aid93%
$23,806Average Amount of Financial Aid$32,501
26.71 %Acceptance Rates80.79 %
20.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)5.41 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate60 %
4 %Transfer-out Rate24 %
94 %Retention Rate66 %
44,256Student Population795
3,101Number of Faculties96
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio8 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