Pacific University vs Whitman College
Pacific University and Whitman College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in the Pacific Northwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Pacific University, located in Forest Grove, Oregon, boasts a higher acceptance rate (85%) compared to Whitman College's selective admissions (58%). While Whitman College excels in the sciences, Pacific University shines in the arts and humanities. Pacific University's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students and a larger population of students receiving financial aid. In contrast, Whitman College has a slightly higher graduation rate (84% vs. 81%). To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two exceptional institutions. Explore the table to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Pacific University |
![]() Whitman College |
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Overview |
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Location | Forest Grove, Oregon | Walla Walla, Washington |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 80.0% | 89.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.0% | 59.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$39
|
$50 |
SAT range | 1090 - 1310 | 1295 - 1455 |
ACT range | 19 - 27 | 29 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | 21.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 9.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,266 | 5,155 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,063 | 3,039 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 363 | 477 |
Yield rate | 17.6% | 15.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $62,348 | $71,982 |
Average net price | $33,523 | $35,627 |
Tuition | $48,928 | $55,560 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,664
Meal plan:
$6,228
|
Room/dormitory:
$6,080
Meal plan:
$7,720
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
96.0%
Average amount $31,162 |
91.0%
Average amount $30,781 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
90.0%
Average amount $5,415 |
42.0%
Average amount $4,853 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $20,429 |
2.0%
Average amount $14,105 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,741
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
1,559
Men 43.9% Women 56.1% |
Graduate students |
2,010
Men 26.2% Women 73.8% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 61.2% | 65.0% |
International students | 3.8% | 10.2% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,029 | 886 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Oregon Hawaii California Washington Colorado | Washington California Oregon Colorado Minnesota |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 70.8% | 88.7% |
Dropout rate | 29.0% | 1.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 8.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Optometry (Doctoral Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
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Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
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