Caltech vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

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

Chapman University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (9,760 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Chapman University 12:1.

Caltech vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Chapman? 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 Chapman ($14,513 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 12.2% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($17,814 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Chapman (about $914 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $64,984.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Caltech than at Chapman University (about $914 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $64,984.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at California Institute of Technology (88% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 104.2% larger than aid received by Chapman University students ($72,373 vs. $35,434).

Caltech vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 210 points higher than at Chapman (1350).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 29 at Chapman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Chapman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

Caltech vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Chapman? 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 Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $31,700 more per year than Chapman graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $6,588 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($14,350 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($148 vs. $216).

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.