Caltech vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Caltech vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State ($14,513 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 11.9% lower than at San Diego State University ($20,283 vs. $23,030).
• California Institute of Technology is 655% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $57,170 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 209% higher at Caltech than at San Diego State University (about $44,570 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology than at San Diego State University (53% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 500.5% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($72,373 vs. $12,053).

Caltech vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State and Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 360 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Caltech vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $32,400 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $999 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($14,350 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($148 vs. $158).

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.