Texas Christian University vs Whitman College

Texas Christian University (TCU) and Whitman College, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. TCU, a private research university located in Fort Worth, Texas, boasts an acceptance rate of 52%, while Whitman, a private liberal arts college in Walla Walla, Washington, has a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 48%. TCU's larger student body, with over 10,000 undergraduates, provides a vibrant and diverse campus community, while Whitman's smaller size, with around 1,500 undergraduates, fosters a close-knit and supportive learning environment. Both institutions offer a wide range of academic programs, with TCU excelling in business, nursing, and engineering, and Whitman renowned for its strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about the differences between these two esteemed institutions and make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Texas Christian University	Whitman College
Overview
Location	Fort Worth, Texas	Walla Walla, Washington
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	89.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Protestant

Admission
Acceptance rate	53.6%	59.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60	$50
SAT range	1130 - 1350	1295 - 1455
ACT range	26 - 31	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	17.0%	21.0%
Students submitting ACT score	22.0%	19.0%
Total number of applicants	19,782	5,155
Total number of admissions given out	10,606	3,039
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,560	477
Yield rate	24.1%	15.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$70,428	$71,982
Average net price	$42,574	$35,627
Tuition	$51,570	$55,560
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,340 Meal plan: $5,700	Room/dormitory: $6,080 Meal plan: $7,720
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	81.0% Average amount $29,211	91.0% Average amount $30,781
Students receiving federal student loan	27.0% Average amount $5,339	42.0% Average amount $4,853
Students taking out private loans	10.0% Average amount $27,820	2.0% Average amount $14,105

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	10,222 Men 39.7% Women 60.3%	1,559 Men 43.9% Women 56.1%
Graduate students	1,716 Men 40.4% Women 59.6%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	59.0%	65.0%
International students	4.8%	10.2%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	5,083	886
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas California Illinois Colorado Minnesota	Washington California Oregon Colorado Minnesota

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Visual & Performing Arts Liberal Arts	Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Visual & Performing Arts English Language and Literature Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	82.8%	88.7%
Dropout rate	2.8%	1.6%
Transferred out	14.2%	8.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $163,986 Year 2: $157,472 Year 3: $144,992 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,594 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $123,205 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,918 Year 2: $97,663 Year 3: $109,836 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,869 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $86,418 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,621 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $84,099 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,234 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $76,296 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,234 Year 2: $63,600 Year 3: $75,826 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,711 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $74,252 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,322 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $71,244 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,231 Year 2: $66,737 Year 3: $67,558	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,596 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $64,407 Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $26,353 Year 3: $43,330 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,051 Year 2: $22,999 Year 3: $41,844 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,549 Year 2: $27,584 Year 3: $39,355 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $18,868 Year 3: N/A Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,472 Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: N/A Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: N/A Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location between Texas Christian University (TCU) and Whitman College?

TCU is located in Fort Worth, Texas, a major metropolitan area with a vibrant cultural scene and numerous opportunities for internships and career development. Whitman College is situated in Walla Walla, Washington, a smaller, more rural town known for its wineries and outdoor recreational activities. The location impacts the overall campus environment, access to diverse experiences, and the types of extracurricular activities available.
How do the academic programs at TCU and Whitman College compare?

Both TCU and Whitman College offer a strong liberal arts education. TCU has a broader range of programs, including professional schools like business, nursing, and communication, providing more specialized career paths. Whitman College emphasizes a more traditional liberal arts curriculum with a focus on critical thinking, writing, and interdisciplinary studies. Whitman is particularly strong in the humanities and sciences.
What is the student body like at TCU versus Whitman College?

TCU has a larger student body with a more diverse student population in terms of geographic origin and socioeconomic backgrounds. Whitman College has a smaller, more intimate student body, fostering a close-knit community. Whitman's student body tends to be more geographically diverse, drawing students from across the United States and internationally.
How does the cost of attendance compare between TCU and Whitman College?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable between TCU and Whitman College. However, financial aid packages and scholarships can significantly impact the net cost. It's recommended to compare the specific financial aid offers from each institution based on your individual circumstances.
What are the campus cultures like at TCU and Whitman College?

TCU has a more traditional college atmosphere with a strong emphasis on Greek life, athletics, and school spirit. Whitman College fosters a more intellectual and socially conscious environment, with a focus on student activism, community engagement, and independent thinking. Both schools offer a variety of clubs and organizations, but the overall campus culture differs significantly.
How do the career services at TCU and Whitman College differ?

TCU's career services benefit from its location in a major metropolitan area, providing extensive internship opportunities and connections with large corporations. Whitman College's career services focus on helping students find internships and jobs, often emphasizing networking and career exploration in a variety of fields. Whitman's alumni network is strong and supportive.
What are the athletic programs like at TCU and Whitman College?

TCU is a Division I school with a strong athletic program, particularly in football and baseball, offering a high-profile athletic experience. Whitman College is a Division III school, emphasizing participation and sportsmanship over competitive athletics. Whitman offers a variety of intramural and club sports.
How does the housing situation differ at TCU and Whitman College?

Both TCU and Whitman College offer on-campus housing options. TCU has a wider variety of housing options, including residence halls, apartments, and Greek housing. Whitman College primarily offers traditional residence halls, fostering a strong sense of community among students.
What are the opportunities for research at TCU and Whitman College?

Both TCU and Whitman College offer research opportunities for undergraduate students. TCU, with its larger size and broader range of programs, may offer more research opportunities in certain fields, particularly in the sciences and professional schools. Whitman College emphasizes undergraduate research, with opportunities to work closely with faculty on research projects.
Which college is better for me, TCU or Whitman College?

The 'better' college depends on your individual preferences and goals. If you are looking for a large university experience with strong athletics, a wide range of programs, and a location in a major city, TCU might be a better fit. If you prefer a smaller, more intimate liberal arts college with a focus on critical thinking, a strong sense of community, and a more rural setting, Whitman College might be a better choice. Consider visiting both campuses, if possible, to get a feel for the environment and culture.

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