“A test-free, Quaker-founded liberal arts college in the Los Angeles metro, ranked #14 nationally for social mobility.”
Whittier College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1887 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), located on a 75-acre tree-lined campus in Whittier, California, just 18 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. As one of the smallest liberal arts colleges in the country with fewer than 800 undergraduates, Whittier offers an intensely personal educational experience anchored by an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, small seminars, and a distinctive interdisciplinary curriculum called the Liberal Education for Accountable Professionals (LEAP) program. Whittier is nationally recognized for social mobility, ranking #14 among US liberal arts colleges — a testament to its long-standing mission of providing transformative education to first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students. Whittier's academic approach is notably progressive. The college is test-free — SAT and ACT scores are neither required nor considered in any admissions decision — reflecting a holistic philosophy focused on the whole student. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary exploration, writing-intensive coursework, and real-world connection. Students have access to more than 50 majors and 40 minors, and the Los Angeles metropolitan area provides an unparalleled backdrop for internships, cultural engagement, and career development across industries including entertainment, law, healthcare, technology, and finance. The college's Alumni Mentor Network and career connections to LA's diverse economy make Whittier graduates unusually well-positioned for life after college. Campus life at Whittier is vibrant and globally diverse, with approximately 20% of the entering class coming from outside the United States. Five residence halls house a required on-campus community of students in themed living groups and traditional halls. More than 60 clubs and organizations, prominent annual traditions like Sportsfest and Whittfest, and 17 NCAA Division III athletic programs round out campus life. The Poets purple and gold are a source of strong campus pride, and the LA location means students can explore world-class museums, beaches, mountains, and professional opportunities all within easy reach.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Social Mobility — Liberal Arts Colleges
US News 2026
Test Free — No test scores needed — they won't be reviewed even if submitted.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding; rolling review after
Regular Decision
Rolling admissions; no hard cutoff but apply early for best scholarship consideration
This university does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admissions.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$52,157
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Interdisciplinary programs in psychology, political science, sociology, and economics, informed by proximity to LA's diverse society and institutions.
Rigorous science preparation for students pursuing research, medicine, and allied health careers.
Practical business education leveraging LA's entrepreneurial and corporate ecosystems.
Programs in literature, history, languages, philosophy, and creative arts within a Quaker tradition of inquiry and expression.
Whittier's signature interdisciplinary general education curriculum integrating critical thinking, communication, and professional accountability across all majors.
4 years
Whittier's most popular major, combining rigorous coursework with direct access to LA's business and entrepreneurship communities through internships and alumni networks.
4 years
Strong pre-health preparation leveraging proximity to major LA-area hospitals and medical centers, with faculty research and hands-on laboratory experience.
4 years
Whittier allows students to design their own interdisciplinary major with faculty mentorship, reflecting the college's progressive and student-centered educational philosophy.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $51,350
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
