Caltech vs. UCI

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (37,297 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 Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; University of California Irvine 19:1.

Caltech vs. UCI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or UCI? 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 UCI ($14,513 vs. $15,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 6.4% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,991 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 319.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $50,176 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32% higher at Caltech than at University of California Irvine (about $15,976 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Irvine than at California Institute of Technology (55% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 213.2% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($72,373 vs. $23,110).

Caltech vs. UCI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 230 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; University of California Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; UCI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UCI (3.75).
• UCI has a higher acceptance rate (28.6%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 19.2% at UCI.

Caltech vs. UCI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and UCI? 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 Irvine's (85%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $24,000 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $2,650 lower median loan debt than UCI graduates ($14,350 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCI graduates ($148 vs. $175).

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.