Caltech vs. UCSD

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (44,256 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 San Diego is in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; University of California San Diego 19:1.

Caltech vs. UCSD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or UCSD? 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 University of California San Diego than Caltech ($14,047 vs. $14,513).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 6.5% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($18,970 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 293.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $49,140 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at Caltech than at University of California San Diego (about $14,940 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at California Institute of Technology (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 181% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($72,373 vs. $25,757).

Caltech vs. UCSD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 180 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; University of California San Diego 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; UCSD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 20.4% at UCSD.

Caltech vs. UCSD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and UCSD? 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 San Diego's (85%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $4,150 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($14,350 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($148 vs. $191).

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.