Caltech vs. Amherst

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of Technology is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Caltech vs. Amherst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Amherst? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Institute of Technology than Amherst ($14,513 vs. $19,049).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 9.3% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,390 vs. $20,283).
• Amherst College is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $4,582 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Amherst than at California Institute of Technology (about $4,582 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at California Institute of Technology (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 5.5% larger than aid received by Amherst College students ($72,373 vs. $68,591).

Caltech vs. Amherst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech or Amherst? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Amherst and Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 20 points higher than at Amherst (1540).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Amherst).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Amherst College 1490/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Amherst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Amherst (3.91).
• Amherst has a higher acceptance rate (9%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Caltech vs. Amherst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Amherst? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Amherst graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $82,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $1,375 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($12,975 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($134 vs. $148).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.