
Whittier College is a private liberal arts college in Whittier, California. It was founded in 1887 and named after Quaker abolitionist and poet John Greenleaf Whittier. The college has a strong athletic program, with nearly half of its students participating in varsity and intramural sports. Whittier College is facing several challenges, including declining enrollment, financial woes, and leadership crises. However, it continues to be ranked among the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the nation. So, is Whittier College a Catholic college?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of College | Private liberal arts college |
| Religious Affiliation | Quaker |
| Location | Whittier, California |
| Year Founded | 1887 |
| Namesake | John Greenleaf Whittier, a Quaker abolitionist and poet |
| Student Population | 813 (fall 2023) |
| Student Demographics | Nearly half Latino, 70% students of color |
| Student Organizations | 80+ |
| Varsity Sports | Men's and women's basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, lacrosse, water polo, softball, volleyball, baseball, and golf |
| Academic Calendar | Semester-based |
| Tuition and Fees | $51,350 |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) |
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What You'll Learn
- Whittier College is a private liberal arts college
- It is not a Catholic college, but it is rooted in Quaker heritage
- It is named after the Quaker abolitionist and poet, John Greenleaf Whittier
- The college has a small campus and a student population of around 800
- Whittier College has a wide range of student-run organisations, societies, and sports teams

Whittier College is a private liberal arts college
Whittier College offers a unique educational experience with a focus on hands-on learning and knowledge creation. The college encourages discovery and research, providing a supportive environment for students to explore their academic interests. With a small campus community of around 800 students and over 100 faculty members, Whittier College fosters a tight-knit and interactive learning environment. The college promotes small, intimate classes, allowing students and faculty to closely connect and engage in meaningful discussions.
The college is committed to providing a well-rounded education that extends beyond the classroom. Nearly half of the students at Whittier College participate in varsity and intramural sports, with a wide range of athletic programs offered, including basketball, lacrosse, and water polo. In addition to sports, the college also offers various extracurricular activities, with approximately 80 registered student-run organizations, societies, and clubs catering to different interests.
Whittier College is also known for its vibrant campus life, with numerous events and recreational activities throughout the year. The college's campus is located about 25 miles from the Los Angeles and Ontario airports, making it easily accessible. The college has experienced fluctuations in enrollment over the years, with recent reports indicating a decline in student numbers. Despite these challenges, Whittier College remains a highly regarded educational institution, nationally ranked for its social mobility and liberal arts curriculum.
Whittier College provides a holistic educational experience, combining academic excellence with extracurricular involvement. With its diverse student body, intimate class sizes, and emphasis on knowledge creation, the college offers a unique and enriching environment for students to pursue their academic goals and develop a well-rounded perspective.
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It is not a Catholic college, but it is rooted in Quaker heritage
Whittier College is a private liberal arts college located in Whittier, California. It is a Hispanic-serving institution with a diverse student body, a vibrant campus culture, and a strong emphasis on academic excellence. However, contrary to popular assumption, it is not a Catholic college. While it is rooted in Quaker heritage and values, it does not adhere to any specific religious denomination.
The college was founded in 1887 and named after Quaker abolitionist and poet John Greenleaf Whittier. This Quaker heritage forms the basis of the college's commitment to social justice and respect for diversity. The college has a rich history and is one of California's oldest liberal arts colleges, even counting President Nixon among its alumni.
Whittier College offers a well-rounded education with a focus on interactive, hands-on learning. The college encourages discovery, research, and knowledge creation. It offers a range of academic programs, including a master's degree in education and the unique Whittier Scholars Program, which allows students to design their major by combining courses from different disciplines. The college also boasts a vibrant campus life, with various student-run organizations, societies, and athletic teams.
Despite its distinguished history and academic offerings, Whittier College has faced challenges in recent years. The college has experienced declining enrollment and financial difficulties, leading to a crisis in leadership and direction. These issues have prompted discussions about the college's future viability and prompted cost-saving measures, including the discontinuation of several sports programs.
In summary, while Whittier College is not a Catholic college, it is deeply rooted in Quaker heritage and values. The college's Quaker foundations have shaped its commitment to social justice and diversity, contributing to a rich academic and cultural environment. Despite recent challenges, Whittier College remains a prominent institution, known for its liberal arts focus and dedication to student success.
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It is named after the Quaker abolitionist and poet, John Greenleaf Whittier
Whittier College is a private liberal arts college in Whittier, California. It is not a Catholic college. The college was founded in 1887 and is named after the Quaker abolitionist and poet, John Greenleaf Whittier.
The college has a strong Quaker heritage of social justice and respect for diversity. It emphasizes small, interactive classes led by full-time faculty members. The campus is small, with approximately 800 students and more than 100 faculty members. Whittier College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and nearly half of its student body is Latino. Students of colour constitute about 70% of the college's campus population.
Whittier College offers a variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. It is known for its sports teams, with nearly half of its students participating in varsity and intramural sports. The college also has a Faculty House Program, modelled after similar programs at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, where faculty members create and host educational and social programs in their on-campus residences.
The college has faced challenges in recent years, including declining enrolment, financial woes, and leadership crises. Despite these issues, Whittier College continues to be a nationally ranked liberal arts institution, known for its focus on hands-on learning, discovery, research, and the creation of knowledge.
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The college has a small campus and a student population of around 800
Whittier College is a private liberal arts college in Whittier, California. The college was founded in 1887 and named for the Quaker abolitionist and poet John Greenleaf Whittier. It is one of California's oldest liberal arts colleges and is the alma mater of President Nixon. The college has a small campus of 75 acres and a student population of around 800, comprising 813 undergraduate students (as of fall 2023) and 2 graduate students (as of spring 2024). The college has traditionally enrolled 1,000–1,500 undergraduate students, with an average student body size of 1,329 between 1984 and the 2010s. However, enrollment has dropped significantly in recent years, particularly during the tenure of former President Linda Oubre (2018–2023), with a 35% decrease in student numbers since 2018.
Whittier College offers a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for its students. The college emphasizes small, interactive classes led by full-time faculty members. Nearly half of the students participate in varsity and intramural sports, with Whittier Poets teams competing in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) of NCAA Division III. The college also has around 80 registered, student-run organizations, including societies similar to fraternities and sororities, student publications, and a student-run radio station.
The college's graduate program offers a Master of Arts in Education degree, and the campus houses the Broadoaks Children's School, a private, non-profit demonstration school that serves as a learning laboratory for faculty and students. Additionally, Whittier Law School, located on a satellite campus in Costa Mesa, California, had 4,500 alumni practicing in 48 states and 14 countries before it ceased operations in July 2020.
Whittier College is not a Catholic college. While it is rooted in its Quaker heritage of social justice and respect for diversity, the college has faced criticism and turmoil in recent years due to allegations of racist attitudes and leadership and financial crises.
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Whittier College has a wide range of student-run organisations, societies, and sports teams
Whittier College is a private liberal arts college located in Whittier, California. Founded in 1887, the college is named after Quaker abolitionist and poet John Greenleaf Whittier. It has a student body of around 800 and a campus size of 75 acres.
Whittier College also has societies, similar to fraternities and sororities, which provide a unique form of Greek life on campus. The college's sports teams, known as the Whittier Poets, compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) of NCAA Division III. The Poets have a long history of athletic excellence, particularly in men's lacrosse, where they won ten championships between 1980 and 1999.
In addition to men's lacrosse, Whittier College currently offers a range of sports, including basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, water polo, softball, volleyball, baseball, and golf. The college's swimming and diving teams have excelled academically, earning Academic All-American status.
Whittier College's small campus and variety of student-run organisations make it easy for students to connect and get involved. With a rich history and a focus on interactive, hands-on learning, the college provides a unique educational experience for its students. While the college has faced challenges in recent years, including declining enrolment and financial difficulties, it remains a vibrant and diverse institution with a strong focus on extracurricular engagement.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Whittier College is not a Catholic college. It is, however, a private liberal arts college in Whittier, California, with a strong Quaker heritage and a commitment to social justice and diversity.
Whittier College is a private institution with a Quaker heritage and a commitment to social justice and diversity. It is not affiliated with any particular religion but welcomes students and faculty from all backgrounds and beliefs.
While I cannot find specific information on religious organizations or clubs on campus, Whittier College has approximately 80 registered student-run organizations, including societies similar to fraternities and sororities, student publications, and athletic groups.
Whittier College was founded in 1887 and named for the Quaker abolitionist and poet John Greenleaf Whittier. It has a long history as one of California's oldest liberal arts colleges and is the alma mater of President Nixon. The college has a current enrollment of around 800 students and offers a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities, including varsity and intramural sports, cultural exchange programs, and hands-on learning experiences.






















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