Caltech vs. Dartmouth

Comparable Facts

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

Dartmouth College is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Dartmouth College is in Hanover, NH (Remote Town setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dartmouth College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Dartmouth College 7:1.

Caltech vs. Dartmouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Dartmouth? 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 Dartmouth ($14,513 vs. $20,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dartmouth College are 1.4% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,999 vs. $20,283).
• Dartmouth College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $2,370 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Dartmouth than at California Institute of Technology (about $2,370 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology than at Dartmouth College (53% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 7.3% larger than aid received by Dartmouth College students ($72,373 vs. $67,471).

Caltech vs. Dartmouth Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 20 points higher than at Dartmouth (1540).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Dartmouth).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Dartmouth College 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Dartmouth College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Dartmouth - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Dartmouth (3.9).
• Dartmouth has a higher acceptance rate (5.4%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 69.1% at Dartmouth.

Caltech vs. Dartmouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Dartmouth? 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).

• Dartmouth College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than Caltech graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $85,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $889 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($13,461 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($139 vs. $148).

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.