Class Profile & College Highlights

Whittier College is a residential four-year liberal arts institution that prepares students from diverse backgrounds to excel in a complex global society.

Through challenging, interactive courses taught by accomplished professors, students learn to make connections across disciplines, understand cultural perspectives, and integrate learning with practical application. Inspired by a Quaker heritage, the Whittier education equips students to be active citizens and 

Applications

  • Total Applications: 3,062 
  • First-Year: 2,740 
  • Transfer: 322
  • Total Admits: 2,408
  • First-Year: 2,374
  • Transfer: 215
  • Total Enrollment: 477
  • First-Year: 372
  • Transfer: 105

Admitted Student Academic Middle 50% Ranges 

  • First-Year WC GPA (Grades 9-11, weighted): 3.39-4.0
  • First-Year SAT Total: 1190-1400
  • First-Year ACT Composite: 24-31
  • Test-Optional Admits: 68%
  • Transfer GPA: 2.95-3.68

Enrolled Geographic Distribution 

  • California: 48.9% 
  • West (excluding California): 10%
  • Midwest: 2.5%
  • South: 3%
  • Mid-Atlantic: 1%
  • Northeast: 1.3%
  • Outside of US (25 Countries): 34%

Top 10 States

  • California
  • Washington
  • Hawaii
  • Nevada
  • Arizona
  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Oregon
  • Texas
  • Maryland

By the Numbers

  • Founded in 1887

  • Located in Whittier, California (18 miles southeast of Downtown Los Angeles, 16 miles northwest of Anaheim)

  • Campus size: over 75 acres

  • Undergraduate Enrollment: 1325

  • Graduate Enrollment: 62

  • Average Classroom Size: 19 students (50% of classes have less than 20)

  • Student to Faculty Ratio: 12 to 1

  • Race/Ethnicity (IPEDS)*

    • American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.2%
    • Asian: 5.6%
    • Black or African-American: 4.1%
    • Latinx: 41.7%
    • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.5%
    • White: 20.5%
    • Two or more races: 4.2%
    • Unknown: 16.5%
    • Nonresident/International: 6.6%

Rankings and Recognition

  • 24th in top liberal arts college in California for social mobility, U.S. News & World Report
  • 39th most transformative college in the nation, Money
  • 45th for public service, Washington Monthly

NCAA Affiliation

Division III

Conference

Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC)

Mascot

Johnny Poet/The Poets

Men’s Sports

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Water Polo

Women’s Sports

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo

Majors

Anthropology, Applied Philosophy, Art, Biochemistry, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Child Development, Chinese, Economics, English, Environmental Science, Film Studies, French, Global & Cultural Studies, History, Integrated Computer Science, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Mathematics-Business, Mathematics-Economics, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychological Sciences, Religious Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Spanish, Theater & Communication Arts

Minors

Africana & Black Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Studio Art, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Child Development, Chinese, Computer Science, Digital Art & Design, Economics, Elementary Education, English, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Film Studies, French, French Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, Global & Cultural Studies, History, Japanese, Kinesiology, Latino Studies, Mathematics, Music, Organizational Leadership, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Public Health, Psychological Sciences, Religious Studies, Scientific Computing, Social Work, Sociology, 

Pre-Professional Programs

  • 3-2 Engineering (with the University of Southern California)
  • Health Sciences Advising Program
  • Physical Therapy Advising Program

Whittier Scholars Program

A specialized program that allows students to design a major and select coursework around a particular career path or field of interest. Students in this program are required to complete an off-campus experience, which can be either an internship or a study abroad experience.

PICES Program

A pathway for students to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and a teaching credential in K-12 Special Education at the same time within 4 years.