Caltech vs. UC Davis

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (40,065 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 Davis is in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; University of California Davis 22:1.

Caltech vs. UC Davis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or UC Davis? 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 Davis ($14,513 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Davis are 4.2% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,426 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 292.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $49,124 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at Caltech than at University of California Davis (about $14,924 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $50,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Davis than at California Institute of Technology (60% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 194.3% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($72,373 vs. $24,591).

Caltech vs. UC Davis Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 280 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 29 at UC Davis).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; University of California Davis 1160/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; University of California Davis 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; UC Davis - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Caltech (3.97).
• UC Davis has a higher acceptance rate (41.8%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 16.4% at UC Davis.

Caltech vs. UC Davis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and UC Davis? 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 University of California Davis's (82%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $20,600 more per year than UC Davis graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $65,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $326 lower median loan debt than UC Davis graduates ($14,350 vs. $14,676).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Davis graduates ($148 vs. $151).

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.