Caltech vs. MIT

Comparable Facts

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Caltech vs. MIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or MIT? 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 MIT ($14,513 vs. $20,996).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are 0% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($20,280 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $3,502 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Caltech than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $3,502 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at California Institute of Technology (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($72,373 vs. $61,734).

Caltech vs. MIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 10 points higher than at MIT (1550).
• Incoming Caltech students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 35) as students at MIT (35).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); MIT - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; MIT Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at MIT (3.96).
• MIT has a higher acceptance rate (4.5%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 85.8% at MIT.

Caltech vs. MIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and MIT? 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).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $56,300 more per year than Caltech graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $85,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $2,966 lower median loan debt than MIT graduates ($14,350 vs. $17,316).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIT graduates ($148 vs. $179).

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.