Caltech vs. Colorado College

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

Caltech Colorado College
Location Pasadena, CA Colorado Springs, CO
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 2,463 2,173
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #6 #72
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website caltech.edu coloradocollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Caltech Colorado College
Tuition (In State) $60,816 $67,458
Tuition (Out of State) $60,816 $67,458
Room & Board $19,503 $15,228
Avg Net Price $23,397 $35,281
Avg Grant Aid $60,201 $47,947
% Receiving Grant Aid 55% 56%

Admission

Caltech Colorado College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,107 7,532
Admitted 412 1,509
Acceptance Rate 3.1% 20%
Enrolled % 64.6% 34.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.98
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Elite Exceptional
Applicant Competition Extreme Very High
ACT Range 35/36 31/34
SAT Range 1530/1580 1365/1520
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 15, 2026

Academics

Caltech Colorado College
Student to Faculty Ratio 3:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (41%)
  • Physical Sciences (25%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
  • Mathematics (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (29%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)

Outcomes

Caltech Colorado College
Graduation Rate 87% 88%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $85,800 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments - 88%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,350 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $148 $211

Diversity

Caltech Colorado College
% Men 38% 0%
% Women 21% 1%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 27% 64%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 12% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 9%
% International 8% 7%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Caltech Colorado College
% In-State 30% 19%
% Out-of-State 51% 77%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • California Institute of Technology is larger than than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (2,463 students vs. 2,173 students)

Caltech vs. Colorado College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Colorado College?

  • Colorado College is 10.9% more expensive to attend than Caltech for in-state tuition ($67,458.00 vs. $60,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.9% higher at Colorado College than California Institute of Technology ($67,458.00 vs. $60,816.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Institute of Technology than Colorado College ($23,397 vs. $35,281)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 28.1% lower than costs at California Institute of Technology ($15,228 vs. $19,503)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Colorado College than California Institute of Technology (56% vs. 55%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 25.6% larger than aid received Colorado College ($60,201 vs. $47,947)

Caltech vs. Colorado College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Caltech (3.97)
  • Colorado College has a higher acceptance rate (20%) than Caltech (3.1%)

Caltech vs. Colorado College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Caltech or Colorado College? 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 Colorado College and Caltech.

  • The graduation rate at Colorado College is higher than California Institute of Technology (88% vs. 87%)
  • Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn on average $39,800 more per year than Colorado College graduates after ten years. ($85,800 vs. $46,000)
  • California Institute of Technology students graduate with a $6,150 lower median federal student loan debt than Colorado College graduates. ($14,350 vs. $20,500)
  • Caltech graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Colorado College graduates. ($148 vs. $211)

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