Caltech vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Caltech vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Reed? 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 Reed ($14,513 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Reed College are 12.9% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($17,660 vs. $20,283).
• Reed College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $3,452 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Reed than at California Institute of Technology (about $3,452 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Reed College than at California Institute of Technology (58% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 30.5% larger than aid received by Reed College students ($72,373 vs. $55,445).

Caltech vs. Reed Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 150 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Reed).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Caltech (3.97).
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Caltech vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Reed? 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 Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $38,600 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $1,650 lower median loan debt than Reed graduates ($14,350 vs. $16,000).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Reed graduates ($148 vs. $165).

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.