Skip to content

Whittier College vs John Paul the Great Catholic University

Whittier College is a private college in Whittier, CA. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private university in Escondido, CA. John Paul the Great Catholic University admits about 80% of applicants and Whittier College about 81%, making John Paul the Great Catholic University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $25,757 a year at Whittier College after aid, and about $34,666 at John Paul the Great Catholic University. About 65% of students graduate at John Paul the Great Catholic University, compared with 62% at Whittier College. Ten years after enrolling, Whittier College alumni earn a median of about $59,492, against $56,930 for John Paul the Great Catholic University.

Whittier College

Whittier, CA · Private

John Paul the Great Catholic University

Escondido, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Whittier, CA
Escondido, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
764
286
Acceptance rate
81%
80%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.43–3.93
3.39–3.89
SAT (middle 50%)
1140–1340
975–1270
ACT (middle 50%)
24–30
21–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,757
$34,666
Full cost / yr
$63,664
$52,367
In-state tuition
$51,350
$30,265
Out-of-state tuition
$51,350
$30,265
Application fee
$0
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$21,718
$27,029
$30k - $48k
$19,928
$35,037
$48k - $75k
$24,973
$31,236
$75k - $110k
$26,718
$32,194
Over $110k
$30,599
$38,282
Outcomes
Graduation rate
62%
65%
Freshman retention
66%
85%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,025
$34,360
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,492
$56,930
Median debt at graduation
$24,937
$26,968
Student body
Pell grant recipients
34%
33%
First-generation students
34%
Not reported
International students
13%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Whittier College or John Paul the Great Catholic University harder to get into?
John Paul the Great Catholic University is harder to get into. It admits about 80% of applicants, compared with 81% at Whittier College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Whittier College or John Paul the Great Catholic University?
Whittier College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $25,757 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $34,666 at John Paul the Great Catholic University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Whittier College and John Paul the Great Catholic University?
Before aid, John Paul the Great Catholic University costs about $52,367 a year and Whittier College about $63,664. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Whittier College or John Paul the Great Catholic University?
Whittier College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $21,718 there, against about $27,029 at John Paul the Great Catholic University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Whittier College or John Paul the Great Catholic University?
Whittier College is the larger of the two, with about 764 undergraduates against 286 at John Paul the Great Catholic University.
Does Whittier College or John Paul the Great Catholic University have a better graduation rate?
John Paul the Great Catholic University has the higher graduation rate, at about 65% against 62% at Whittier College.
Do graduates of Whittier College or John Paul the Great Catholic University earn more?
Whittier College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $59,492 ten years after enrolling, against about $56,930 for John Paul the Great Catholic University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Whittier College and John Paul the Great Catholic University require SAT or ACT scores?
Whittier College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. John Paul the Great Catholic University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Whittier College and John Paul the Great Catholic University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1140–1340 at Whittier College and 975–1270 at John Paul the Great Catholic University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school