Whittier College vs University of La Verne (ULV)

Whittier College and University of La Verne, both located in Southern California, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. Whittier College, a private liberal arts institution, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 58%, while University of La Verne, a private comprehensive university, maintains a more open admissions policy with an acceptance rate of 80%. In terms of student body demographics, Whittier College's student population is predominantly female (60%), while University of La Verne's student body is more evenly distributed between genders (51% female, 49% male). Both institutions offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors at Whittier College including Psychology, Business Administration, and Biology, and popular majors at University of La Verne including Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. With graduation rates of 75% and 65% respectively, both colleges demonstrate a commitment to student success and degree completion. To help you make an informed decision about your higher

	University of La Verne	Whittier College
Overview
Location	La Verne, California	Whittier, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	80.0%	82.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	71.9%	82.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $70
SAT range	905 - 1135	1120 - 1340
ACT range	17 - 24	23 - 28
Students submitting SAT score	7.0%	11.0%
Students submitting ACT score	1.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	5,004	2,884
Total number of admissions given out	3,600	2,379
Admitted students who chose to enroll	680	277
Yield rate	18.9%	11.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	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	$68,989	$61,014
Average net price	$22,538	$22,091
Tuition	$44,700	$48,924
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,450 Meal plan: $6,580	Room/dormitory: $8,216 Meal plan: $6,756
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	96.0% Average amount $38,707	97.0% Average amount $32,645
Students receiving federal student loan	61.0% Average amount $4,979	65.0% Average amount $5,040
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $6,087	6.0% Average amount $17,379

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,691 Men 39.7% Women 60.3%	1,325 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	2,510 Men 31.2% Women 68.8%	62 Men 25.8% Women 74.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	4.5%	6.3%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	1,002	849
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Education Psychology Liberal Arts Social Sciences	Social Sciences Education Family and Consumer Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Foreign Languages and Literatures
Students to faculty ratio	13:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.4%	63.6%
Dropout rate	29.2%	3.6%
Transferred out	N/A	31.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $109,952 Year 2: $114,730 Year 3: $117,698 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $86,129 Year 3: $91,276 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,334 Year 2: $69,657 Year 3: $79,038 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,266 Year 2: $63,501 Year 3: $74,806 Psychology, Other (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $59,236 Year 2: $65,765 Year 3: $74,374 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,404 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $69,352 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,158 Year 2: $55,286 Year 3: $68,491 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,248 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $66,943 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,502 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $64,978 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,534 Year 3: $63,868	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $34,282 Year 2: $41,689 Year 3: $64,434 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,241 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $59,453 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,364 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $54,567 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,650 Year 2: $35,914 Year 3: $47,815 Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,730 Year 2: $28,309 Year 3: $42,330 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $22,976 Year 2: $14,935 Year 3: $38,238 Social Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $23,267 Year 2: $26,715 Year 3: $37,247 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,562 Year 2: $21,508 Year 3: $35,879 Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,185 Year 2: $16,015 Year 3: $34,329 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,103 Year 2: $27,765 Year 3: $30,273

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between Whittier College and the University of La Verne?

Whittier College and the University of La Verne, while both located in Southern California, offer distinct experiences. Whittier is a smaller, more intimate liberal arts college known for its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and a close-knit community. The University of La Verne, while also emphasizing liberal arts, is a slightly larger institution with a broader range of professional programs and a more diverse student body. La Verne also has a more pronounced focus on civic engagement and community service.
How do the academic programs at Whittier College and the University of La Verne compare?

Both institutions offer a variety of undergraduate programs. Whittier College excels in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and writing skills. The University of La Verne offers a wider array of professional programs, including business administration, education, and law, alongside its liberal arts offerings. Consider your specific academic interests when deciding which institution aligns best with your goals.
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each college?

Whittier College prides itself on its small class sizes, typically averaging around 18 students, and boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 11:1. The University of La Verne also maintains relatively small class sizes, generally around 20 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of about 13:1. Both institutions provide opportunities for personalized attention from professors.
How do the campus cultures differ between Whittier College and the University of La Verne?

Whittier College fosters a close-knit, collaborative community where students are actively involved in campus life. It's known for its strong sense of tradition and student-led initiatives. The University of La Verne has a more diverse student body and a broader range of extracurricular activities, reflecting its larger size. La Verne emphasizes civic engagement and provides numerous opportunities for students to participate in community service projects.
What are the tuition costs and financial aid opportunities at Whittier College and the University of La Verne?

Both Whittier College and the University of La Verne are private institutions, and their tuition costs are comparable. However, both institutions offer a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. It's essential to explore the financial aid packages offered by each college based on your individual circumstances. Contact the financial aid offices at both institutions to discuss your options.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at each college?

Both Whittier College and the University of La Verne provide career services to assist students with internships, job searching, and career development. The University of La Verne's location provides access to a wider range of internship opportunities in various industries. Whittier College leverages its alumni network and location to provide students with similar opportunities. Both schools actively work to connect students with relevant professional experiences.
What is the surrounding environment like for each college?

Whittier College is located in the city of Whittier, a suburban community with a historic downtown area. The University of La Verne is situated in the city of La Verne, a smaller, more residential community. Both locations offer a safe and welcoming environment, with easy access to the cultural attractions and recreational opportunities of the greater Los Angeles area.
How do the residential life experiences compare at Whittier College and the University of La Verne?

Both Whittier College and the University of La Verne offer on-campus housing options for students. Whittier College has a higher percentage of students living on campus, contributing to a more residential campus feel. The University of La Verne also provides a variety of housing options, including traditional residence halls and apartment-style living. Both institutions strive to create supportive and engaging residential communities.
What are the athletic programs like at Whittier College and the University of La Verne?

Both Whittier College and the University of La Verne are members of the NCAA Division III and offer a variety of intercollegiate athletic programs. Whittier College is known as the Poets, while the University of La Verne is known as the Leopards. Both institutions provide opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a high level while maintaining a focus on academics.
Which college is better for me: Whittier College or the University of La Verne?

The best college for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're seeking a small, intimate liberal arts college with a strong sense of community, Whittier College might be a good fit. If you prefer a slightly larger institution with a broader range of professional programs and a more diverse student body, the University of La Verne could be a better choice. Visit both campuses, talk to current students and faculty, and carefully consider your academic and personal goals to make an informed decision.

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