Academic Comparison between Whittier and Cal Poly

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

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)
$51,3502025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
93%% Receiving Financial Aid52%
$32,501Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,264
80.79 %Acceptance Rates31.32 %
5.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)24.61 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
60 %Graduation Rate86 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate1 %
66 %Retention Rate96 %
795Student Population23,069
96Number of Faculties931
8 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 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