Caltech vs. Westmont College

California Institute of Technology and Westmont College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Institute of Technology
Westmont College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Caltech (2.6% admitted vs 77%). Typical SAT 1560 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Caltech. Average net price is $14,513 vs $32,172 at Westmont College.
  • Graduation: Caltech 87% vs Westmont College 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Caltech $85,800 vs Westmont College $54,600 (median).
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Key differences

California Institute of Technology Westmont College
Acceptance rate
Caltech more selective
Caltech2.6%
Westmont College77%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Caltech higher
Caltech1530-1580
Westmont College1240-1450
Average net price
Caltech $17,659 less
Caltech$14,513
Westmont College$32,172
In-state tuition
Westmont College $12,314 less
Caltech$65,898
Westmont College$53,584
Out-of-state tuition
Westmont College $12,314 less
Caltech$65,898
Westmont College$53,584
Graduation rate
Caltech +10 pts
Caltech87%
Westmont College77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Caltech +$31,200
Caltech$85,800
Westmont College$54,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Caltech 13,856
  • Westmont College 2,479
  • Admitted
  • Caltech 356
  • Westmont College 1,910
  • Acceptance rate
  • Caltech 2.6%
  • Westmont College 77%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Caltech 61.2%
  • Westmont College 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Caltech 1560
  • Westmont College 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • Caltech 35
  • Westmont College 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Caltech 3.97
  • Westmont College 3.59
  • Typical high school grades
  • Caltech A
  • Westmont College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Caltech Elite
  • Westmont College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Caltech Extreme
  • Westmont College
  • SAT range
  • Caltech 1530-1580
  • Westmont College 1240-1450
  • ACT range
  • Caltech 35-36
  • Westmont College 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Caltech Required
  • Westmont College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Caltech Jan 3, 2027
  • Westmont College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Westmont College $53,584
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Westmont College $53,584
  • Room & board
  • Caltech $20,283
  • Westmont College $16,960
  • Average net price
  • Caltech $14,513
  • Westmont College $32,172
  • Average grant aid
  • Caltech $72,373
  • Westmont College $38,956
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Caltech 53%
  • Westmont College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Caltech 87%
  • Westmont College 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Caltech $85,800
  • Westmont College $54,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Caltech -
  • Westmont College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Caltech $14,350
  • Westmont College $25,123
  • Median loan payment
  • Caltech $148
  • Westmont College $259
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Caltech 3:1
  • Westmont College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Caltech
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Physical Sciences (25%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
    • Mathematics (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Westmont College
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Location
  • Caltech Pasadena, CA
  • Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA
  • Setting
  • Caltech Midsize City
  • Westmont College Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Caltech 2,430
  • Westmont College 1,310
  • Type
  • Caltech Private 4 Year
  • Westmont College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Caltech #7
  • Westmont College #154

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Institute of Technology is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,310 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 16.4% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($16,960 vs. $20,283).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23% higher at Caltech than at Westmont College (about $12,314 more per year; $65,898 vs. $53,584).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at California Institute of Technology (100% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 85.8% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($72,373 vs. $38,956).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Caltech than at Westmont College (35 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Caltech, test optional at Westmont College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Caltech average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at Westmont College (3.59).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $10,773 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($14,350 vs. $25,123).
  • Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($148 vs. $259).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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