Caltech vs. Northeastern University Oakland

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 640 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Northeastern University Oakland is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University Oakland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Northeastern University Oakland 7:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University Oakland are 3.5% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,580 vs. $20,283).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at California Institute of Technology (about $1,880 more per year; $67,778 vs. $65,898).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at California Institute of Technology (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 24.9% larger than aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students ($72,373 vs. $57,948).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Caltech than at Northeastern University Oakland (35 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are required at Caltech, test optional at Northeastern University Oakland.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Caltech average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.4 higher than at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $9,150 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($14,350 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($148 vs. $242).

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