Caltech vs. Haverford College

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Haverford College based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,431 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Caltech vs. Haverford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Haverford 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 Haverford College ($14,513 vs. $26,535).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Haverford College are 3.6% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,548 vs. $20,283).
• Haverford College is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $4,790 more per year; $70,688.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Haverford College than at California Institute of Technology (about $4,790 more per year; $70,688.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology than at Haverford College (53% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 13.5% larger than aid received by Haverford College students ($72,373 vs. $63,742).

Caltech vs. Haverford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 50 points higher than at Haverford College (1510).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Haverford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Haverford College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Haverford College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Haverford College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Haverford College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Haverford College (3.9).
• Haverford College has a higher acceptance rate (12.4%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 42.6% at Haverford College.

Caltech vs. Haverford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Haverford 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).

• Haverford 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 $17,000 more per year than Haverford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $68,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Haverford College graduates have a $1,350 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($13,000 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, Haverford College graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($134 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.