Caltech vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Clara University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

Caltech vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or SCU? 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 SCU ($14,513 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 1.9% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,893 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 7.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $4,605 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Caltech than at Santa Clara University (about $4,605 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at California Institute of Technology (71% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 155.1% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($72,373 vs. $28,368).

Caltech vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 140 points higher than at SCU (1420).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at SCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 17.7% at SCU.

Caltech vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and SCU? 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).

• California Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Santa Clara University's (85%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than SCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $81,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $7,150 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($14,350 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($148 vs. $222).

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.