Founded in 1887 by the Religious Society of Friends, Whittier is a private, four-year liberal-arts college within close proximity to Los Angeles. Whittier is one of the most diverse liberal arts schools in the country, with a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Minority and international students constitute nearly half of the student body. In 2002, Whittier was awarded a $1.5 million development grant to support Hispanic students on campus in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education’s recognition of Whittier as a Hispanic Serving Institution. The college offers 31 majors and minors within 23 disciplines. Located on 75 acres, Whittier has more than 60 student-run organizations and a well-respected athletic program.

 

STUDENT PROFILE
# of degree-seeking undergraduates         1,367
% male/female                                                47/53
% African-American                                                6
% American Indian or Alaska Native                   1
% Asian or Pacific Islander                                   9
% Hispanic                                                             29
% White                                                                   40
% International                                                         2
% Pell grant recipients                                         30

 

Distinguished first-generation and minority alums Martin Ortiz ’48, educator and activist, recipient of Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Department of Education; J. Stanley Sanders ’63, attorney, one of the first two African-Americans in more than a half-century to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship; Darryl Walker ’76, vice president for business affairs, Black Entertainment Television, Rhodes Scholar; Alma Martinez ’83, stage, screen and television actress, director, and educator, Fulbright Award recipient for study in South America; Erin Clancy ’07, Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship recipient; Malaika (Williams) Amneus ’96, obstetrics/gynecology, Rhodes Scholar

 

full-time faculty                                                 96
full-time minority faculty                                  26
student-faculty ratio                                      13:1
average class size                                          18
% first-year retention rate                               79
% graduation rate (6 yrs)                                61
Popular majors Business Administration, English, History, Political Science, Psychology

 

 

CAMPUS LIFE
% live on campus (% fresh.)                                      63  (78)
Multicultural student clubs and organizations Akwaaba, Black Student Union, Hispanic Student Association, Asian Student Association, M.E.Ch.A.
Athletics

NCAA Division III; Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conferencel; m/w basketball, m/w cross country; football; m golf; m/w lacrosse; m/w soccer; softball; m/w swimming; m/w tennis; m/w track and field (outdoor); m/w water polo; w volleyball. More on Athletics...