Caltech vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (46,566 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 Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

Caltech vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or USC? 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 USC ($14,513 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 1.7% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,931 vs. $20,283).
• University of Southern California is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $6,199 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at USC than at California Institute of Technology (about $6,199 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at California Institute of Technology (70% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 54.3% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($72,373 vs. $46,897).

Caltech vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 60 points higher than at USC (1500).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 33 at USC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at USC (3.83).
• USC has a higher acceptance rate (9.8%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 43.3% at USC.

Caltech vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and USC? 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 Southern California'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 $300 more per year than USC graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $85,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $8,025 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($14,350 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($148 vs. $231).

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.