Caltech vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

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

Rice University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 2,430 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Caltech vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Rice? 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 Rice ($14,513 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 10.8% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,100 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $1,754 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Caltech than at Rice University (about $1,754 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at California Institute of Technology (56% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 28.8% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($72,373 vs. $56,199).

Caltech vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech or Rice? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rice and Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 20 points higher than at Rice (1540).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Rice).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Caltech students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Rice (3.96).
• Rice has a higher acceptance rate (8%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Caltech vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Rice? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Rice University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Caltech graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $85,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $4,123 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($10,227 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($105 vs. $148).

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.