Caltech vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Caltech vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Grinnell? 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 Grinnell ($14,513 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 17% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($16,842 vs. $20,283).
• Grinnell College is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $2,208 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Grinnell than at California Institute of Technology (about $2,208 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at California Institute of Technology (94% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 47.5% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($72,373 vs. $49,077).

Caltech vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 80 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Grinnell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Caltech vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Grinnell? 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).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $26,300 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $1,180 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($13,170 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($136 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.