Caltech vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

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

Middlebury College is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (2,803 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Caltech vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury ($14,513 vs. $26,233).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middlebury College are 5.1% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,250 vs. $20,283).
• Middlebury College is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $1,702 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Middlebury than at California Institute of Technology (about $1,702 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology than at Middlebury College (53% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Middlebury College students ($72,373 vs. $59,647).

Caltech vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 60 points higher than at Middlebury (1500).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Middlebury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Middlebury (3.89).
• Middlebury has a higher acceptance rate (10.7%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Caltech vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Middlebury? 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).

• Middlebury College's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than Middlebury graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $72,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $1,539 lower median loan debt than Middlebury graduates ($14,350 vs. $15,889).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Middlebury graduates ($148 vs. $164).

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.