Whittier College
Whittier College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Whittier College at a Glance
Whittier College is a private liberal arts college in Whittier, California, United States. Founded by Quakers in 1887, it is a federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. As of fall 2025, it had 797 undergraduate and graduate students. Whittier athletic teams compete in NCAA Division III.
1887
139 years old
$113M
$112.9 million (2019)
797
103
75 acres
Identity
Is Whittier College Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, Whittier College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $59,492 — 11% above average — while paying $25,757/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Whittier College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Whittier College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #51 of 127 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #3 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #4 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #51 | Whittier College | 36 | $25,757 | $59,492 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Whittier College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in CA.
Best Programs at Whittier College
The highest-earning program at Whittier College is Social Work at $34,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $14,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Social Work graduate from Whittier College earns $34,500, while a Biology, General graduate earns $14,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Social Work graduates carry $23,000 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,757/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | $34,500 | $34,500 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,900 | $33,900 | $24,545 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $28,600 | $28,600 | $25,000 |
| Social Sciences, General | $25,600 | $25,600 | $23,000 |
| Psychology, General | $25,300 | $25,300 | $25,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $20,900 | $20,900 | $23,900 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $15,600 | $15,600 | $23,250 |
| Biology, General | $14,000 | $14,000 | $26,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Whittier, CA
- Student Body
- 764 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,757
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,492
- Median Student Debt
- $24,937