Caltech vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Caltech vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Princeton? 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 Princeton ($14,513 vs. $15,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 0.2% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($20,250 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $3,210 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at Caltech than at Princeton University (about $3,210 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at California Institute of Technology (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 5.3% larger than aid received by Princeton University students ($72,373 vs. $68,727).

Caltech vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 10 points higher than at Princeton (1550).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Princeton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Princeton (3.93).
• Princeton has a higher acceptance rate (4.6%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Caltech vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Princeton? 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $28,100 more per year than Caltech graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $85,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $6,850 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($7,500 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($77 vs. $148).

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.