Caltech vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Caltech vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Hamilton College? 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 Hamilton College ($14,513 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 13.7% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($17,510 vs. $20,283).
• Hamilton College is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $3,062 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Hamilton College than at California Institute of Technology (about $3,062 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at California Institute of Technology (56% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 30.4% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($72,373 vs. $55,511).

Caltech vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 60 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Hamilton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Caltech vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Hamilton College? 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $1,410 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($14,350 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($148 vs. $162).

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.