Caltech vs. Williams

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

California Institute of Technology
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Caltech (2.6% admitted vs 8.3%). Typical SAT 1560 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Caltech. Average net price is $14,513 vs $15,894 at Williams.
  • Graduation: Caltech 87% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Caltech $85,800 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

California Institute of Technology Williams College
Acceptance rate
Caltech more selective
Caltech2.6%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Caltech higher
Caltech1530-1580
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Caltech $1,381 less
Caltech$14,513
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
Caltech $2,662 less
Caltech$65,898
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
Caltech $2,662 less
Caltech$65,898
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Williams +8 pts
Caltech87%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Caltech +$12,200
Caltech$85,800
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Caltech 13,856
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • Caltech 356
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • Caltech 2.6%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Caltech 61.2%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Caltech 1560
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Caltech 35
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Caltech 3.97
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Caltech A
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • Caltech Elite
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Caltech Extreme
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Caltech 1530-1580
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • Caltech 35-36
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Caltech Required
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Caltech Jan 3, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • Caltech $20,283
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • Caltech $14,513
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • Caltech $72,373
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Caltech 53%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Caltech 87%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Caltech $85,800
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Caltech -
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Caltech $14,350
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • Caltech $148
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Caltech 3:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Caltech
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Physical Sciences (25%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
    • Mathematics (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Caltech Pasadena, CA
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • Caltech Midsize City
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Caltech 2,430
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • Caltech Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Caltech #7
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of Technology is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 14.9% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($17,260 vs. $20,283).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Williams than at California Institute of Technology (about $2,662 more per year; $68,560 vs. $65,898).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at California Institute of Technology (54% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Williams College students ($72,373 vs. $68,966).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Caltech than at Williams (35 vs. 34, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Caltech, test optional at Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Caltech average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Williams (3.94).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $232 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($14,350 vs. $14,582).
  • Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($148 vs. $150).

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

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