Caltech vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Francisco is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (8,913 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 San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

Caltech vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or USF? 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 USF ($14,513 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 2.6% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,764 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF (about $5,406 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at Caltech than at University of San Francisco (about $5,406 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at California Institute of Technology (95% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 108.4% larger than aid received by University of San Francisco students ($72,373 vs. $34,723).

Caltech vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 270 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 6% at USF.

Caltech vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and USF? 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 University of San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than USF graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $70,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $10,650 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($14,350 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($148 vs. $258).

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.