Caltech vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Caltech vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon ($14,513 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 10.4% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,166 vs. $20,283).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $348 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at California Institute of Technology (about $348 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology than at Carnegie Mellon University (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 50.4% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($72,373 vs. $48,107).

Caltech vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 20 points higher than at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Carnegie Mellon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Caltech vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Carnegie Mellon? 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).

• The graduation rate at Caltech is the same as at Carnegie Mellon University (87% vs. 87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Caltech graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $85,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $11,900 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($14,350 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $123 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($148 vs. $271).

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.