Dear students and families,
Whittier College is committed to providing a high-value liberal arts education to a diverse student population. Because of our commitment to affordability and access, we have held tuition flat for the past four years. During the same period, the U.S. consumer price index shot up nearly 20%, triggering steady tuition increases at our peer institutions.
Our recent conversations on campus have explored how to honor our commitment to affordability while forging a sustainable pathway that continues to invest in excellence for student learning, outcomes, and support.
During its February meeting, the Whittier College Board of Trustees reviewed financial projections and approved a modest increase to tuition, fees, room and board for the 2024-25 academic year. Tuition and fees for the coming academic year will be $51,150. Standard annual room and board charges will be $16,090. These 2.99% increases — Whittier’s first in four years — are well below the cumulative impact of inflation over recent years.
Rest assured that, in recognition of the impact on students and families, Whittier College will provide increased aid to those with the greatest financial need, offsetting much of the increases. The College will also offer more funds for campus jobs, including jobs for students who don’t qualify for Federal Work-Study.
Meanwhile, the increases will allow us to begin to address inflationary impacts on the compensation of our valued faculty and staff, which have implications for the hiring and retention of talented individuals. Tuition and fees paid by students (as well as gifts from generous donors and earnings from our endowment) support the entirety of Whittier’s work — including compensation, programs for teaching and learning, and maintenance of facilities.
Students, please check your MyWhittier portal this summer to see your updated financial aid awards.
If you have any questions or concerns about your financial aid award, please reach out to Whittier’s Financial Aid Office at fao@whittier.edu or (562) 907-4285. We are committed to being as responsive as possible to your questions, particularly in light of the FAFSA delays.
We understand the investment you are making in your own and your family’s future, and we remain committed to providing an exceptional educational experience to all of our students.
Thank you for being part of our close-knit Poet community, and contributing to the enhanced vitality students and faculty alike are experiencing this year. As someone who lives on campus, I am energized by your passion and commitment to your educational experience.
Go Poets!
Sincerely,
Kristine E. Dillon ’73, Ph.D.
Interim President
