Caltech vs. UC Berkeley

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Berkeley is in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; University of California Berkeley 18:1.

Caltech vs. UC Berkeley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or UC Berkeley? 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 UC Berkeley ($14,513 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 14.6% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($20,283 vs. $23,750).
• California Institute of Technology is 303.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $49,551 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.4% higher at Caltech than at University of California Berkeley (about $15,351 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology as at University of California Berkeley (53% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 144.4% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($72,373 vs. $29,608).

Caltech vs. UC Berkeley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 140 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at UC Berkeley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; University of California Berkeley 1310/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; University of California Berkeley 30/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; UC Berkeley - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UC Berkeley (3.87).
• UC Berkeley has a higher acceptance rate (11%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 46% at UC Berkeley.

Caltech vs. UC Berkeley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and UC Berkeley? 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).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than UC Berkeley graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $74,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $150 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($14,200 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($146 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.