Caltech vs. Bates

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Bates College is in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Bates College 9:1.

Caltech vs. Bates Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Bates? 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 Bates ($14,513 vs. $24,723).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bates College are 7.4% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,780 vs. $20,283).
• Bates College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $692 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Bates than at California Institute of Technology (about $692 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology than at Bates College (53% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 23.1% larger than aid received by Bates College students ($72,373 vs. $58,809).

Caltech vs. Bates Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech or Bates? 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 Bates and Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 80 points higher than at Bates (1480).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Bates).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Bates College 1420/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Bates College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Bates - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Bates Jan 1, 2027.
• Bates has a higher acceptance rate (13.3%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 36.5% at Bates.

Caltech vs. Bates Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Bates? 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).

• Bates College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Bates graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $75,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $100 lower median loan debt than Bates graduates ($14,350 vs. $14,450).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bates graduates ($148 vs. $149).

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.