Degree Opportunities at Westmont College
Westmont College appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Technologically Advanced Small Colleges.
Westmont College offers majors in classic areas like biology, art, psychology, and physics, as well as modern areas like computer science, kinesiology, and gender studies. Students may earn any one of several bachelor’s degrees, as well as enroll in minor programs, professional programs, pre-professional programs, and combination programs that award multiple degrees in an accelerated format.
Some of the degrees that are the most popular with students include those in business, parks & recreation, biology, communication, and English. The student-faculty ratio at Westmont College is a low 11:1, and more than 66 percent of the college’s classes have fewer than 20 students in attendance. The college publishes that it has a high freshman retention rate of 95 percent, which is higher than the national average.
With the college’s affiliation with Christianity, students may enroll in degree programs that deal directly with religion, theology, and related subjects, but they can also pursue secular degrees in areas like environmental studies or economics. Theological and religion programs include a minor in biblical languages and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies.
The college’s professional programs are in education, and students may focus on elementary education or a subject in secondary education like chemistry, Spanish, history, or art. For pre-professional studies, the college offers programs in dentistry, law, ministry, osteopathy, physical therapy, and veterinary medicine. Students can also study teaching, pharmacy, nursing, medicine, or engineering.
Although Westmont College doesn’t offer online degrees, there are many other ways to experience learning at the college that don’t take place on campus. Students in high school can enroll in a program known as Trailhead to prepare for college, and the college also offers the Augustinian Scholars Program, which is meant for students who expect to work in the ministry after graduation.
The university also holds a research symposium each year, which gives undergraduate students the opportunity to work with faculty members on research projects throughout the year. Students can also participate in internships in real-world work settings where they can gain experience for their future careers and build employer contacts.
About Westmont College
Westmont College is a Christian school located in Montecito, which is a community near Santa Barbara, California. The college was originally founded as the Bible Missionary Institute in the 1930s by the founder of Kerr Glass Manufacturing Company. The school would eventually expand its curriculum to include a focus on liberal arts and would also change its name to Westmont College. The official colors of the college are white and maroon.
The suburban campus in Montecito covers 111 acres, and the school’s motto is “Christ Holding Preeminence.” Students who participate in sports at the college do so as the Warriors, and they play in games held within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Approximately 1,300 undergraduate students attend the college, which also has an academic staff of more than 95 and an administrative staff of more than 300.
Westmont College Accreditation Details
Westmont College has earned accreditation from the Senior College Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which handles approvals for colleges throughout California and the neighboring states of the American Southwest. The commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and successful accreditation means that students can apply for federal student aid while attending the college.
Some of the programs offered by the college are additionally accredited, and the college is also a member institution of several preeminent educational organizations. Memberships include those with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities. Accreditations include those from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the National Association of Schools of Music. The college is also affiliated with the Christian College Consortium.
Westmont College Application Requirements
Steps required in the application process to Westmont College include the online application, submission of transcripts, the sending of official ACT and SAT scores, and reference letters. Students may also participate in an optional interview. First-year applicants must complete the recommended selection of 14 academic units that includes four years of English, two years of a foreign language, three years of mathematics, and two years of social science.
Students may use their advanced placement credits as transfer credits if they receive a score of four or five on the placement tests for the College Entrance Examination Board. Applicants may submit up to 32 advanced placement credits with up to three placement exams being approved for general education requirements. Students will be assigned a counselor with whom they can speak about the application process and about the college.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition at Westmont College is $46,980 for the year, and all students pay the same rate since the college is a private institution. Room charges are $9,220 per year, and a meal plan is $5,820 per year. Students will also pay a total of $1,200 in various fees. The total direct costs billed by Westmont College come to $63,220 per year.
However, students will also need to budget an additional $1,600 for books and supplies, as well as $1,400 for miscellaneous and personal expenses. In all, the college expects the total cost of attendance for students at Westmont College to reach $66,220 per year. Students may be able to reduce their overall costs by applying for financial aid.
Students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in advance of attending college, so they can qualify for student loans, as well as opportunities like grants and scholarships. The Office of Financial Aid administers financial aid awards to students at Westmont College. The college offers some grants directly through the school for students who demonstrate financial need, and students may also qualify for state grants like the Cal Grant.
There are also some opportunities for students to receive scholarships when they attend the college and achieve certain academic milestones. For example, students who achieve a 1420 or higher on the SAT or a score of at least 32 on the ACT may receive the President’s Scholarship. Students who earn a 1350 to 1410 on their SAT or a 30 to 31 on their ACT may receive the Ruth Kerr Scholarship when they enroll at Westmont College.