Caltech vs. UCLA

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Los Angeles is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Los Angeles is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; University of California Los Angeles 20:1.

Caltech vs. UCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or UCLA? 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 University of California Los Angeles than Caltech ($14,512 vs. $14,513).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Los Angeles are 9.4% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,369 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 333.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $50,695 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.4% higher at Caltech than at University of California Los Angeles (about $16,495 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology than at University of California Los Angeles (53% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 182.4% larger than aid received by University of California Los Angeles students ($72,373 vs. $25,627).

Caltech vs. UCLA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 140 points higher than at UCLA (1420).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at UCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; University of California Los Angeles 29/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; UCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; UCLA Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UCLA (3.92).
• UCLA has a higher acceptance rate (9%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 50.4% at UCLA.

Caltech vs. UCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and UCLA? 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).

• University of California Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than UCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $70,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $1,950 lower median loan debt than UCLA graduates ($14,350 vs. $16,300).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCLA graduates ($148 vs. $168).

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.