Biola University vs. Caltech

Should I go to Biola University or California Institute of Technology? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Biola University or Caltech is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Biola University vs. California Institute of Technology comparison
Biola University California Institute of Technology College 3 College 4
Biola University California Institute of Technology
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Overview

Biola University Caltech
Location La Mirada, CA Pasadena, CA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 5,296 2,463
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #260 #6
Religious Affiliation Undenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website biola.edu caltech.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Biola University Caltech
Tuition (In State) $46,704 $60,816
Tuition (Out of State) $46,704 $60,816
Room & Board $11,234 $19,503
Avg Net Price $30,510 $23,397
Avg Grant Aid $28,096 $60,201
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 55%

Admission

Biola University Caltech
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,003 13,107
Admitted 2,405 412
Acceptance Rate 60.1% 3.1%
Enrolled % 31.3% 64.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.97
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Elite
Applicant Competition Low Extreme
ACT Range 24/30 35/36
SAT Range 1130/1360 1530/1580
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 3, 2026

Academics

Biola University Caltech
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 3:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Engineering (41%)
  • Physical Sciences (25%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
  • Mathematics (11%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

Biola University Caltech
Graduation Rate 71% 87%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $85,800
Making Student Loan Payments 75% -
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $14,350
Median Loan Payment $253 $148

Diversity

Biola University Caltech
% Men 20% 38%
% Women 16% 21%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 27%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 19% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 5%
% International 3% 8%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Biola University Caltech
% In-State 65% 30%
% Out-of-State 29% 51%

Campus

Biola University Caltech
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Biola University is larger than than Caltech based on total student enrollment (5,296 students vs. 2,463 students)

Biola University vs. Caltech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola University or Caltech?

  • California Institute of Technology is 30.2% more expensive to attend than Biola University for in-state tuition ($60,816.00 vs. $46,704.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.2% higher at Caltech than Biola University ($60,816.00 vs. $46,704.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Institute of Technology than Biola University ($23,397 vs. $30,510)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 73.6% lower than costs at California Institute of Technology ($11,234 vs. $19,503)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Biola University than California Institute of Technology (100% vs. 55%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 114.3% larger than aid received Biola University ($60,201 vs. $28,096)

Biola University vs. Caltech Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Biola University or Caltech? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Caltech or Biola University .

  • The average SAT score at California Institute of Technology (1544) is 429 points higher than at Biola University (1115)
  • Incoming Caltech students have a 10 point higher average ACT score (35) than students at Biola University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Biola University (3.61)
  • Biola University has a higher acceptance rate (60.1%) than Caltech (3.1%)

Biola University vs. Caltech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Biola University or Caltech? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Caltech and Biola University.

  • The graduation rate at Caltech is higher than Biola University (87% vs. 71%)
  • Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn on average $36,900 more per year than Biola University graduates after ten years. ($85,800 vs. $48,900)
  • California Institute of Technology students graduate with a $10,150 lower median federal student loan debt than Biola University graduates. ($14,350 vs. $24,500)
  • Caltech graduates are paying $105 less per month on federal student loans than Biola University graduates. ($148 vs. $253)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/