Caltech vs. Yale

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Yale University in New Haven, CT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Yale University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Yale University is in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Yale University 5:1.

Caltech vs. Yale Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Yale? 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 Yale ($14,513 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Yale University are 1.9% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,900 vs. $20,283).
• Yale University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $1,352 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Yale than at California Institute of Technology (about $1,352 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at California Institute of Technology (56% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 9.8% larger than aid received by Yale University students ($72,373 vs. $65,892).

Caltech vs. Yale Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 40 points higher than at Yale (1520).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Yale).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Yale University 1470/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Yale University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Yale - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Yale Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Yale (3.95).
• Yale has a higher acceptance rate (3.9%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 69.8% at Yale.

Caltech vs. Yale Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Yale? 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $32,600 more per year than Caltech graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $85,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $850 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($13,500 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($139 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.