Caltech vs. Davidson

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,869 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Davidson College is in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Davidson College 8:1.

Caltech vs. Davidson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Davidson? 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 Davidson ($14,513 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davidson College are 15.7% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($17,100 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $1,488 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Caltech than at Davidson College (about $1,488 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at California Institute of Technology (65% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 39.8% larger than aid received by Davidson College students ($72,373 vs. $51,755).

Caltech vs. Davidson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech or Davidson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Davidson and Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 90 points higher than at Davidson (1470).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Davidson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Davidson College 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Davidson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Davidson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Caltech students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• Davidson has a higher acceptance rate (13.4%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

Caltech vs. Davidson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Davidson? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $22,300 more per year than Davidson graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $63,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $2,650 lower median loan debt than Davidson graduates ($14,350 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Davidson graduates ($148 vs. $175).

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.