Willamette University vs Pitzer College
Willamette University and Pitzer College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Willamette, nestled in Salem, Oregon, boasts a higher acceptance rate (69%) compared to Pitzer's selective admissions (13%). While Pitzer's student body is more diverse, with 48% students of color, Willamette's student body is predominantly White (73%). Both institutions excel in liberal arts education, with popular majors like Psychology, Biology, and Economics. However, Pitzer's emphasis on social justice and environmental studies sets it apart. With a higher graduation rate (89% vs. 83%), Pitzer ensures its students are well-prepared for their careers. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Pitzer College |
![]() Willamette University |
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Overview |
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Location | Claremont, California | Salem, Oregon |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 93.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 18.3% | 79.6% |
Application fees | $70 | |
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 3,676 | 3,680 |
Total number of admissions given out | 673 | 2,930 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 357 | 260 |
Yield rate | 53.0% | 8.9% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $74,950 | $60,106 |
Average net price | $19,153 | $37,400 |
Tuition | $57,686 | $43,500 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,282
Meal plan:
$7,898
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Room/dormitory:
$7,150
Meal plan:
$6,650
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
42.0%
Average amount $39,399 |
99.0%
Average amount $30,413 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $3,323 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,145 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $14,063 |
7.0%
Average amount $15,973 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,168
Men 41.4% Women 58.6% |
1,236
Men 42.2% Women 57.8% |
Graduate students | N/A |
549
Men 49.2% Women 50.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 7.2% | 2.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 972 | 1,228 |
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 |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 88.4% | 72.0% |
Dropout rate | 11.2% | 28.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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