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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.
Located in Santa Barbara, CA, Westmont College is a private four-year college. This school uses 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%.
For transfer students, the application deadline is March 1.
To find out more about what Westmont College has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
1,311
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$54,430
Tuition
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
70%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. 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 takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the candidate. 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 incoming freshmen 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 average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 27 while 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 new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 677 and an average SAT Math score of 646. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is March 1.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Westmont College was 85.3% in 2025, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 70%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right match for you. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Westmont College in 2025 was 1,311.
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 international students. 52 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 503 male and 790 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. 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 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 118 as multirace. The school also had 5 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 76 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some important information on Westmont College costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Westmont College is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $54,430 in 2025. As this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,294.
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant financial element. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student 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 is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Westmont College was $17,650 in 2025. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 reached $10,450 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $9,675.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 54,430 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,650 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,600 |
| Total Expense | $ 73,680 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support available to students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Westmont College.
The most recent records show that 222 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students equaled $41,085.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
836 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Westmont College is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 838. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $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
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
155 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school 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 institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need 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
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Westmont College was 11:1: that means 11 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 167 teachers at this school. Out of that number, there were 84 men and 83 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about social life at Westmont College.
Its campus spans 111 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
This school has 60 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Orientation Team, followed by Westmont College Student Association and Student Ministry and Outreach. Other popular organizations among the students at Westmont College are Westmont Activities Council and Intercultural Organizations.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a talent for 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.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. 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 excellent 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.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 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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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 54,430 USD per academic year for Westmont College.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Westmont College is 77%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Westmont College is 85.3%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 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 © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
