Caltech vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Caltech vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College ($14,513 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 13.3% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($17,586 vs. $20,283).
• Carleton College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $2,994 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Carleton College than at California Institute of Technology (about $2,994 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at California Institute of Technology (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($72,373 vs. $56,846).

Caltech vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 50 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 33 at Carleton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Carleton College (3.9).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Caltech vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Carleton College? 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $20,200 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $5,150 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,350 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($148 vs. $201).

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.