Whittier College

Whittier College is a private nonprofit liberal arts college in the city of Whittier, southeast of Los Angeles. It combines a broad undergraduate curriculum with close advising and a smaller campus setting. Its Quaker roots remain part of its history, while the present-day college serves students from varied backgrounds. This format can suit students who want to connect study across subjects and build relationships with faculty; those comparing colleges should also weigh the cost, housing and campus culture alongside major options.

Programs and ways to shape a degree

The college lists more than 50 majors and concentrations, plus minors and a graduate program in education. Areas include biology and biochemistry, business, data science, environmental science and justice, film, global and cultural studies, integrated computer science, kinesiology, political science, psychology, theatre and communication arts. The Whittier Scholars Program lets students design an interdisciplinary major around a field or career goal and includes an off-campus experience such as an internship or study abroad. Pre-health students can receive faculty guidance while completing a related major. Review the full majors and programs directory to confirm current concentrations and prerequisites.

Tuition, aid and the Whittier Promise

For 2026–27, Whittier lists undergraduate tuition of $53,464 per year. Required fees, room and board add to that figure; a double room and a 15-meal plan are listed at $9,154 and $7,254, respectively, before other personal, travel or course costs. Every admitted student is considered for a renewable John Greenleaf Whittier Scholarship, currently listed at $20,000–$36,000 per year based on the applicant’s academic record and overall application. Compare the written award with the complete cost, and confirm renewal conditions rather than assuming a scholarship covers all expenses.

For students entering in fall 2027, the new Whittier Promise includes a Golden State Guarantee that can cover full tuition for qualifying California first-year students. Published criteria include a recalculated GPA of at least 3.5, a Cal Grant A, annual household income of $100,000 or less and Pell eligibility; the award uses grants and scholarships, and does not cover housing, meals or fees. Eligible students apply to the college and file the FAFSA by the stated Cal Grant deadline; there is no separate application for the tuition offer. The Promise also provides optional on-time graduation guarantees with academic-plan and advising requirements. Check the current Whittier Promise terms and schedule of charges before planning around these benefits.

Campus and applying

Main campus: 13406 E. Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90602; general information: (562) 907-4200. Main office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday are closed. The campus sits beside historic Uptown Whittier, about 12 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The college’s physical address and admissions office are on the main campus; schedule a visit through the campus visit page, where route and parking information is also available. The main site lists this address as its campus location; it does not indicate another full campus in the inventory city.

First-year, transfer and international applicants have different requirements. Students transferring from California community colleges should ask for a written evaluation of credits and confirm that their associate degree matches a Whittier major if they hope to use the transfer Promise. Applicants interested in the graduate education program should follow its separate admission route. Whittier’s admission and aid pages provide application details and counselor contacts.

What students mention in public reviews

Student comments often value small classes, supportive professors, personal connections and a close campus community. Other reviews describe a quieter social scene and raise concerns about residence halls, food or administrative follow-through; individual experiences vary. These are useful questions to take to a campus visit: ask current students how advising works in your intended major, what housing options are available, how campus events fit your interests and how quickly offices resolve registration or aid questions. The college’s size may be a strength for students seeking personal attention, but it is worth checking that the everyday campus experience matches what you want.