Caltech vs. Cal Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1.

Caltech vs. Cal Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Cal Poly? 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 Cal Poly ($14,513 vs. $17,453).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 7.4% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,792 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 384.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $52,302 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.1% higher at Caltech than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $31,233 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (53% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 404.8% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($72,373 vs. $14,338).

Caltech vs. Cal Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 240 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 29 at Cal Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Cal Poly - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Caltech (3.97).
• Cal Poly has a higher acceptance rate (31.3%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 24.6% at Cal Poly.

Caltech vs. Cal Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Cal Poly? 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).

• California Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's (75%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Cal Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $69,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $4,316 lower median loan debt than Cal Poly graduates ($14,350 vs. $18,666).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal Poly graduates ($148 vs. $193).

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.