Caltech vs. Loyola Marymount

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola Marymount University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (10,179 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Loyola Marymount University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Loyola Marymount University 10:1.

Caltech vs. Loyola Marymount Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount ($14,513 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 7.9% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($20,283 vs. $22,026).
• California Institute of Technology is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loyola Marymount (about $3,541 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $62,357.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Caltech than at Loyola Marymount University (about $3,541 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $62,357.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at California Institute of Technology (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 197.6% larger than aid received by Loyola Marymount University students ($72,373 vs. $24,318).

Caltech vs. Loyola Marymount Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 210 points higher than at Loyola Marymount (1350).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Loyola Marymount).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Loyola Marymount University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Loyola Marymount - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Loyola Marymount (3.92).
• Loyola Marymount has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 14.8% at Loyola Marymount.

Caltech vs. Loyola Marymount Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Loyola Marymount? 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).

• California Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Loyola Marymount University's (77%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $20,100 more per year than Loyola Marymount graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $65,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $7,318 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($14,350 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($148 vs. $224).

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.