Today, U.S. News & World Report released its 2027 Best Colleges rankings, and Whittier College hit spot #20 among Best Value Schools. This is a 66-place jump compared to last year’s report. While Whittier has been in the top 100 for years, this leap is recognition of the College’s high-quality liberal arts education at a competitive cost for students and families. “Being ranked No. 20 makes us proud, but the real value measure is a purpose-driven, future-ready education we provide grounded in collaboration, mentorship, and real-world learning,” says President Kristine Dillon ’73, Ph.D. “Students from all backgrounds learn to build confidence in their abilities, think for themselves, and tackle real-world challenges. They graduate prepared to thrive in whatever comes next for their future and careers.” U.S. News evaluates nearly 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities for its Best Colleges rankings. Its Best Value list recognizes schools that pair academic quality with affordability for students who receive need-based financial aid. Whittier tied for spot #28 in Social Mobility in the report, which is driven by graduation outcomes for Pell Grant recipients and first-generation students using lagging, multi-year institutional data. The College tied for #100 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and landed at #96 in the Top Private Colleges – National Liberal Arts category, which is new to the report this year. About Whittier College
Whittier College is a four-year residential liberal arts institution in Southern California that was founded in 1887. The College brings together students from varied backgrounds in a supportive community where close faculty mentorship, interdisciplinary learning, and hands-on experiences prepare graduates to lead with curiosity, compassion, and purpose.
It offers a student-to-faculty classroom ratio of 10 to 1, making its education personal as students explore their interests and grow into compassionate leaders ready to make a positive impact in the world.
