Caltech vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Caltech vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College ($14,513 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 16.4% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($16,960 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 23% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $12,314 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23% higher at Caltech than at Westmont College (about $12,314 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at California Institute of Technology (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 85.8% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($72,373 vs. $38,956).

Caltech vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 210 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Caltech vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Westmont College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $31,200 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $10,773 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($14,350 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($148 vs. $259).

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.