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Santa Barbara , CA
Located in Santa Barbara, California, Westmont College is a private, Christian liberal arts college that offers undergraduate degrees in a variety of disciplines. Founded in 1937, the college sits on a picturesque 111-acre campus, nestled in the hills of Montecito. With a commitment to integrating faith and learning, Westmont College provides a nurturing and challenging academic environment for its students.
Westmont College is known for its strong liberal arts curriculum, designed to cultivate critical thinking, effective communication, and a broad understanding of diverse subjects. The college offers over 26 undergraduate majors, including popular programs in biology, psychology, economics, and English. Small class sizes and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1 ensure personalized attention and foster student engagement. Additionally, WestmontÆs faculty are not only experts in their fields but also actively involved in the spiritual development and mentorship of their students.
Beyond academics, Westmont College boasts a vibrant campus life with a variety of extracurricular activities and organizations. With over 50 student-run clubs and organizations, there are numerous opportunities for students to pursue their passions and develop leadership skills. The college is also a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and offers various sports teams, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and swimming. Moreover, the beautiful natural surroundings of Santa Barbara provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities, fostering a well-rounded and active campus community.
In summary, Westmont College provides an exceptional liberal arts education in a beautiful and spiritually enriching environment. With a strong emphasis on faith, critical thinking, and personal growth, this Christian college equips students with the skills they need to succeed both academically and morally. The close-knit community of Westmont, combined with its rigorous academics and co-curricular activities, creates a dynamic educational experience that prepares students for a fulfilling and impactful future.
Westmont College is a private four-year college located in Santa Barbara, CA. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 77%. The freshman retention rate at Westmont College is 85.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 70%.
The transfer application deadline is March 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Westmont College.
Quick Facts
1,311
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$54,430
Tuition
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
70%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. How difficult is it to get admitted to Westmont College and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,913 in 2025. Westmont College has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 20% and ACT scores 8%. 33% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 54% between 1,200 and 1,399, 11% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 2% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 33, 50 between 24-29, 13 in the range between 18-23, and 4 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 27 and the average GPA was 3.64. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Westmont College; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 677 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 646. If you are applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is March 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for Westmont College was 85.3% in 2025, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 70%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 1,311 students.
That year, the institution had 26.8% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 1,311, 23 of which were foreign students. 52 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 503 male and 790 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 69 Asian students and 35 Afro-American students in 2025. 304 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 118 as multirace. The school also had 5 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 76 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. Here are some important data on Westmont College costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
Tuition in 2025 was $54,430 for full-time domestic students. Since this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,294.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. The approximate price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,600.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
At Westmont College, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $17,650. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 was $10,100 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 54,430 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,650 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,600 |
| Total Expense | $ 73,680 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial support in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for completing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Westmont College.
The most recent records show that 222 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $41,085.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 836 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Westmont College is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 838. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $1,664,379, and state $2,054,030. The students of Westmont College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $25,492,546, and external in the amount of $449,772.
$6,792
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 155 students overall (including freshmen) at Westmont College in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 57 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $12,962,285. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $316,914 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Westmont College was 11:1. That means that there were 11 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 167 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 84 men and 83 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Westmont College is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Westmont College.
It has a campus size of 111 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 60 open-membership organizations at Westmont College. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is Orientation Team, followed by Westmont College Student Association and Student Ministry and Outreach. Other popular student organizations at this school are Westmont Activities Council and Intercultural Organizations.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students interested in media and communication, Westmont College publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Westmont College, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Westmont College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Westmont College.
Career Counselling
At Westmont College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this institution is 63,560 USD.
$63,560
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Westmont College is located in Santa Barbara, CA.
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Westmont College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Westmont College is 54,430 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Westmont College is 77%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Westmont College is 85.3%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.