Students at Whittier College, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, achieve earnings that place the institution among the top performers nationally for economic mobility.
The college's small size and personalized approach translate into above-average long-term financial outcomes across diverse career paths.
Whittier College is a small private nonprofit institution in California that combines the intimate feel of a liberal arts college with solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates. With just over 1,800 students, Whittier provides a personalized educational experience where nearly one-third of students are first-generation college attendees and about 32% receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's commitment to serving diverse student populations.
Graduates earn a median of $59,492 ten years after enrollment, placing the college above average nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. What makes Whittier particularly noteworthy is its designation as a "Mobility Engine" — institutions that combine meaningful access for low-income students with strong graduation and earnings outcomes. Low-income students at Whittier earn about $48,100 ten years out, ranking in the top 25% nationally for this critical mobility metric.
As a small private college, Whittier offers the advantages of close faculty relationships, small class sizes, and individualized support, while still delivering the kind of career preparation and alumni networks that lead to solid post-graduation employment. The college's location in Southern California provides access to diverse internship and job opportunities across the Los Angeles metropolitan area, contributing to graduates' ability to launch successful careers across multiple industries.
Whittier College's program portfolio reflects the breadth typical of a liberal arts institution, with Business Administration serving as the largest program by economic impact and a reliable pathway to career success. The 64 Business graduates represent the college's strongest connection to immediate post-graduation employment, with early-career earnings of $35,914 that provide a solid foundation for long-term career growth in Southern California's diverse business environment.
Biology attracts 35 students annually and serves multiple pathways — some graduates enter the workforce directly in research or healthcare support roles, while others use their Whittier degree as preparation for medical school, graduate programs, or other advanced training. The program's smaller size allows for close faculty mentorship and research opportunities that larger institutions often cannot provide.
Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods, while enrolling just 30 students, represents Whittier's commitment to developing analytical skills that translate across industries. Early-career earnings of $26,715 reflect the specialized nature of this field and the strong foundation it provides for careers in data analysis, market research, and related fields that value quantitative reasoning and research design skills.
Whittier College graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that reflect the value of a personalized liberal arts education. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $59,492, placing the college above average nationally for earnings outcomes. While this represents a modest premium compared to some larger institutions, it reflects the college's focus on developing well-rounded graduates who succeed across diverse career paths rather than concentrating primarily in high-earning technical fields.
The college's program mix contributes to varied but generally positive outcomes across majors. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program by total economic impact and a reliable path to career success, with 64 graduates earning a median of $35,914 early in their careers. Biology attracts 35 students annually and serves as a strong foundation for graduate school or entry into healthcare fields, while Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods, though smaller with 30 graduates, provides specialized skills that translate into solid early-career earnings of $26,715.
Whittier's strength lies in preparing students for careers that value critical thinking, communication, and adaptability — skills that often lead to steady earnings growth over time. The college's location in Southern California provides graduates access to diverse employment markets, from Los Angeles business districts to healthcare systems throughout the region, helping explain why long-term earnings remain competitive despite the institution's liberal arts focus.
Affordability at Whittier College varies significantly by family income, as is typical for private institutions. Low-income students pay about $22,678 annually after financial aid, which represents substantial institutional support but still requires careful financial planning. Middle-income families face net prices around $28,096 per year, while higher-income families pay approximately $35,090 annually — figures that reflect Whittier's commitment to need-based aid but also the reality of private college pricing.
The college's financial aid approach prioritizes supporting students from lower-income backgrounds, with Pell Grant recipients receiving meaningful assistance that makes attendance feasible for many first-generation college students. However, families across all income levels should expect to contribute significantly more than they would at public institutions, making Whittier a choice that requires weighing the benefits of small class sizes and personalized attention against higher upfront costs.
Debt levels reflect this private college premium, with typical graduates carrying about $24,937 in federal student loans and families often supplementing with Parent PLUS loans averaging $32,000. While these amounts are substantial, they remain within manageable ranges given Whittier's solid graduation rates and the earning potential of graduates who complete their degrees successfully.
Whittier College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
