Caltech vs. Oxy

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Occidental College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Occidental College 9:1.

Caltech vs. Oxy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Oxy? 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 Oxy ($14,513 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 5.1% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,252 vs. $20,283).
• Occidental College is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $376 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Oxy than at California Institute of Technology (about $376 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at California Institute of Technology (75% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 98.8% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($72,373 vs. $36,400).

Caltech vs. Oxy Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 110 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Occidental College 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Occidental College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Oxy - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 17.8% at Oxy.

Caltech vs. Oxy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Oxy? 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 Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $29,200 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $9,302 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($14,350 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($148 vs. $244).

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.