Caltech vs. Bates

Should I go to California Institute of Technology or Bates College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Caltech or Bates 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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California Institute of Technology vs. Bates College comparison
California Institute of Technology Bates College College 3 College 4
California Institute of Technology Bates College
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Overview

Caltech Bates
Location Pasadena, CA Lewiston, ME
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 2,463 1,753
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #6 #45
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website caltech.edu bates.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Caltech Bates
Tuition (In State) $60,816 $63,478
Tuition (Out of State) $60,816 $63,478
Room & Board $19,503 $17,904
Avg Net Price $23,397 $26,658
Avg Grant Aid $60,201 $53,782
% Receiving Grant Aid 55% 44%

Admission

Caltech Bates
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,107 8,937
Admitted 412 1,164
Acceptance Rate 3.1% 13%
Enrolled % 64.6% 43.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 -
Typical High School Grades A- -
Admissions Standards Elite Exceptional
Applicant Competition Extreme Very High
ACT Range 35/36 31/33
SAT Range 1530/1580 1400/1510
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 3, 2026 Jan 1, 2026

Academics

Caltech Bates
Student to Faculty Ratio 3:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (41%)
  • Physical Sciences (25%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
  • Mathematics (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

Caltech Bates
Graduation Rate 87% 92%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $85,800 $75,700
Making Student Loan Payments - 90%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,350 $14,450
Median Loan Payment $148 $149

Diversity

Caltech Bates
% Men 38% 35%
% Women 21% 36%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 27% 71%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 8% 7%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Caltech Bates
% In-State 30% 8%
% Out-of-State 51% 80%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • California Institute of Technology is larger than than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,463 students vs. 1,753 students)

Caltech vs. Bates Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Bates?

  • Bates College is 4.4% more expensive to attend than Caltech for in-state tuition ($63,478.00 vs. $60,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.4% higher at Bates than California Institute of Technology ($63,478.00 vs. $60,816.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Institute of Technology than Bates ($23,397 vs. $26,658)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bates College are 8.9% lower than costs at California Institute of Technology ($17,904 vs. $19,503)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California Institute of Technology than Bates College (55% vs. 44%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 11.9% larger than aid received Bates College ($60,201 vs. $53,782)

Caltech vs. Bates Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Bates has a higher acceptance rate (13%) than Caltech (3.1%)

Caltech vs. Bates Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Caltech or Bates? 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 Bates and Caltech.

  • The graduation rate at Bates is higher than California Institute of Technology (92% vs. 87%)
  • Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn on average $10,100 more per year than Bates graduates after ten years. ($85,800 vs. $75,700)
  • California Institute of Technology students graduate with a $100 lower median federal student loan debt than Bates graduates. ($14,350 vs. $14,450)
  • Caltech graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Bates graduates. ($148 vs. $149)

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