Caltech vs. Rice

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

California Institute of Technology
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Caltech (2.6% admitted vs 8%). Typical SAT 1560 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Caltech. Average net price is $14,513 vs $23,589 at Rice.
  • Graduation: Caltech 87% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Caltech $85,800 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

California Institute of Technology Rice University
Acceptance rate
Caltech more selective
Caltech2.6%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Caltech higher
Caltech1530-1580
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Caltech $9,076 less
Caltech$14,513
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $1,754 less
Caltech$65,898
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $1,754 less
Caltech$65,898
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Rice +5 pts
Caltech87%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rice +$600
Caltech$85,800
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Caltech and Rice with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Caltech Check my chances at Rice
  • Applied
  • Caltech 13,856
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Caltech 356
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Caltech 2.6%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Caltech 61.2%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Caltech 1560
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Caltech 35
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Caltech 3.97
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Caltech A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Caltech Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Caltech Extreme
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Caltech 1530-1580
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Caltech 35-36
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Caltech Required
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Caltech Jan 3, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Caltech $20,283
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Caltech $14,513
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Caltech $72,373
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Caltech 53%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Caltech 87%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Caltech $85,800
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Caltech -
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Caltech $14,350
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Caltech $148
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Caltech 3:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Caltech
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Physical Sciences (25%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
    • Mathematics (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Caltech Pasadena, CA
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Caltech Midsize City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Caltech 2,430
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Caltech Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Caltech #7
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

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

Rice University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 2,430 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Rice University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 10.8% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,100 vs. $20,283).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Caltech than at Rice University (about $1,754 more per year; $65,898 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at California Institute of Technology (56% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 28.8% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($72,373 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Caltech than at Rice (35 vs. 34, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Caltech, test optional at Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Caltech average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Rice (3.96).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $4,123 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($10,227 vs. $14,350).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($105 vs. $148).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

California Institute of Technology
Rice University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges