Caltech vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Caltech vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($14,513 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 10.1% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,240 vs. $20,283).
• Vassar College is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $5,132 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Vassar than at California Institute of Technology (about $5,132 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at California Institute of Technology (55% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 26% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($72,373 vs. $57,443).

Caltech vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 60 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Vassar).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Caltech vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $27,400 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $1,430 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($14,350 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($148 vs. $163).

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.