Caltech vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Caltech vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley ($14,513 vs. $22,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 3.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($20,283 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $1,278 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Wellesley than at California Institute of Technology (about $1,278 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at California Institute of Technology (54% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 12.9% larger than aid received by Wellesley College students ($72,373 vs. $64,116).

Caltech vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 50 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Wellesley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Caltech vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Wellesley? 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $17,700 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $5,450 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($8,900 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($92 vs. $148).

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.