Caltech vs. Carleton College

California Institute of Technology and Carleton College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Institute of Technology
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Caltech (2.6% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1560 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Caltech. Average net price is $14,513 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Caltech 87% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Caltech $85,800 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

California Institute of Technology Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Caltech more selective
Caltech2.6%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Caltech higher
Caltech1530-1580
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Caltech $13,534 less
Caltech$14,513
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Caltech $2,994 less
Caltech$65,898
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Caltech $2,994 less
Caltech$65,898
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +6 pts
Caltech87%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Caltech +$20,200
Caltech$85,800
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Caltech 13,856
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Caltech 356
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Caltech 2.6%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Caltech 61.2%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Caltech 1560
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Caltech 35
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Caltech 3.97
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Caltech A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Caltech Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Caltech Extreme
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Caltech 1530-1580
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Caltech 35-36
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Caltech Required
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Caltech Jan 3, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Caltech $20,283
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Caltech $14,513
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Caltech $72,373
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Caltech 53%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Caltech 87%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Caltech $85,800
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Caltech -
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Caltech $14,350
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Caltech $148
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Caltech 3:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Caltech
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Physical Sciences (25%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
    • Mathematics (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Caltech Pasadena, CA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Caltech Midsize City
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Caltech 2,430
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Caltech Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Caltech #7
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Institute of Technology is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 13.3% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($17,586 vs. $20,283).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Carleton College than at California Institute of Technology (about $2,994 more per year; $68,892 vs. $65,898).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at California Institute of Technology (59% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($72,373 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Caltech than at Carleton College (35 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Caltech, test optional at Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Caltech average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Carleton College (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $5,150 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,350 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($148 vs. $201).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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