Caltech vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Williams College 6:1.

Caltech vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Williams? 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 Williams ($14,513 vs. $15,894).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 14.9% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($17,260 vs. $20,283).
• Williams College is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $2,662 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Williams than at California Institute of Technology (about $2,662 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at California Institute of Technology (54% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Williams College students ($72,373 vs. $68,966).

Caltech vs. Williams Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 30 points higher than at Williams (1530).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Williams).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Williams (3.94).
• Williams has a higher acceptance rate (8.3%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 43% at Williams.

Caltech vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Williams? 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).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $232 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($14,350 vs. $14,582).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($148 vs. $150).

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.