Caltech vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Caltech vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore ($14,513 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 0.1% lower than at Swarthmore College ($20,283 vs. $20,308).
• California Institute of Technology is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $404 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Caltech than at Swarthmore College (about $404 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at California Institute of Technology (57% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 17.4% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($72,373 vs. $61,634).

Caltech vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 30 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Swarthmore).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Swarthmore has a higher acceptance rate (7.5%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Caltech vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Swarthmore? 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).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $5,150 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($14,350 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($148 vs. $201).

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.