Caltech vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Caltech vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Stanford? 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 Stanford ($14,513 vs. $25,078).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 4.8% lower than at Stanford University ($20,283 vs. $21,315).
• Stanford University is 0% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $12 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at Stanford than at California Institute of Technology (about $12 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at California Institute of Technology (61% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 15.3% larger than aid received by Stanford University students ($72,373 vs. $62,755).

Caltech vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 10 points higher than at Stanford (1550).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Stanford).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Stanford (3.96).
• Stanford has a higher acceptance rate (3.6%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Caltech vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $37,100 more per year than Caltech graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $85,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($12,475 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($128 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.