Caltech vs. Davidson

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

California Institute of Technology
Davidson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Caltech (2.6% admitted vs 13.4%). Typical SAT 1560 vs 1470.
  • Cheaper after aid: Caltech. Average net price is $14,513 vs $27,720 at Davidson.
  • Graduation: Caltech 87% vs Davidson 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Caltech $85,800 vs Davidson $63,500 (median).
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Key differences

California Institute of Technology Davidson College
Acceptance rate
Caltech more selective
Caltech2.6%
Davidson13.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Caltech higher
Caltech1530-1580
Davidson1400-1530
Average net price
Caltech $13,207 less
Caltech$14,513
Davidson$27,720
In-state tuition
Davidson $1,488 less
Caltech$65,898
Davidson$64,410
Out-of-state tuition
Davidson $1,488 less
Caltech$65,898
Davidson$64,410
Graduation rate
Davidson +5 pts
Caltech87%
Davidson92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Caltech +$22,300
Caltech$85,800
Davidson$63,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Caltech 13,856
  • Davidson 8,114
  • Admitted
  • Caltech 356
  • Davidson 1,085
  • Acceptance rate
  • Caltech 2.6%
  • Davidson 13.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Caltech 61.2%
  • Davidson 47.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Caltech 1560
  • Davidson 1470
  • Typical ACT score
  • Caltech 35
  • Davidson 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Caltech 3.97
  • Davidson 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Caltech A
  • Davidson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Caltech Elite
  • Davidson Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Caltech Extreme
  • Davidson Very High
  • SAT range
  • Caltech 1530-1580
  • Davidson 1400-1530
  • ACT range
  • Caltech 35-36
  • Davidson 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Caltech Required
  • Davidson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Caltech Jan 3, 2027
  • Davidson Jan 7, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Davidson $64,410
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Davidson $64,410
  • Room & board
  • Caltech $20,283
  • Davidson $17,100
  • Average net price
  • Caltech $14,513
  • Davidson $27,720
  • Average grant aid
  • Caltech $72,373
  • Davidson $51,755
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Caltech 53%
  • Davidson 65%
  • Graduation rate
  • Caltech 87%
  • Davidson 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Caltech $85,800
  • Davidson $63,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Caltech -
  • Davidson 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Caltech $14,350
  • Davidson $17,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Caltech $148
  • Davidson $175
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Caltech 3:1
  • Davidson 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Caltech
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Physical Sciences (25%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
    • Mathematics (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Davidson
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
  • Location
  • Caltech Pasadena, CA
  • Davidson Davidson, NC
  • Setting
  • Caltech Midsize City
  • Davidson Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Caltech 2,430
  • Davidson 1,869
  • Type
  • Caltech Private 4 Year
  • Davidson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Caltech #7
  • Davidson #32

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,869 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Davidson College is in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting).
  • California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Davidson College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davidson College are 15.7% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($17,100 vs. $20,283).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Caltech than at Davidson College (about $1,488 more per year; $65,898 vs. $64,410).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at California Institute of Technology (65% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 39.8% larger than aid received by Davidson College students ($72,373 vs. $51,755).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Caltech than at Davidson (35 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Caltech, test optional at Davidson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Caltech average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at Davidson (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $2,650 lower median loan debt than Davidson graduates ($14,350 vs. $17,000).
  • Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Davidson graduates ($148 vs. $175).

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

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