Caltech vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Caltech vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or RPI? 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 RPI ($14,513 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 10.7% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,120 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $1,817 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Caltech than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $1,817 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at California Institute of Technology (95% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 66.3% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($72,373 vs. $43,517).

Caltech vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 120 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at RPI (3.88).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Caltech vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and RPI? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than RPI graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $82,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $13,150 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($14,350 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($148 vs. $284).

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.