Caltech vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Northwestern University in Evanston, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

Caltech vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Northwestern? 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 Northwestern ($14,513 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 4% lower than at Northwestern University ($20,283 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $2,424 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Northwestern than at California Institute of Technology (about $2,424 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology as at Northwestern University (53% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 12.3% larger than aid received by Northwestern University students ($72,373 vs. $64,429).

Caltech vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 20 points higher than at Northwestern (1540).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Northwestern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Northwestern (3.92).
• Northwestern has a higher acceptance rate (7.7%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

Caltech vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Northwestern? 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Caltech graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $85,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $5,028 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($14,350 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($148 vs. $200).

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.