California Institute of Technology vs United States Naval Academy (USNA)
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and United States Naval Academy (USNA) stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique path to success. Caltech, a private research university, boasts an acceptance rate of 8.4%, while USNA, a federal service academy, maintains a highly selective acceptance rate of 9%. Caltech's student body is predominantly male (63%), while USNA's student body is predominantly male (80%). Both institutions excel in STEM fields, with Caltech renowned for its strength in engineering and physical sciences, and USNA offering a strong focus on engineering, mathematics, and naval science. While Caltech's graduates enjoy a 94% graduation rate, USNA's graduates all commission as officers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and career goals.
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![]() California Institute of Technology |
![]() United States Naval Academy |
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Overview |
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Location | Pasadena, California | Annapolis, Maryland |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 99.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 3.9% | 8.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$100
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SAT range | N/A | 1200 - 1420 |
ACT range | N/A | 26 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 69.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 48.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 13,026 | 16,265 |
Total number of admissions given out | 510 | 1,374 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 270 | 1,183 |
Yield rate | 52.9% | 86.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,122 | |
Average net price | $30,162 | |
Tuition | $56,364 | |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,398
Meal plan:
$7,350
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
54.0%
Average amount $47,556 |
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Students receiving federal student loan |
5.0%
Average amount $5,333 |
|
Students taking out private loans |
15.0%
Average amount $4,732 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
987
Men 55.3% Women 44.7% |
4,528
Men 71.3% Women 28.7% |
Graduate students |
1,410
Men 66.7% Women 33.3% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 92.2% | 92.6% |
International students | 29.4% | 1.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,572 | 4,667 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Texas Georgia Maryland Florida | California Texas Maryland Virginia Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 3:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | N/A |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 92.9% | 91.3% |
Dropout rate | 4.6% | 8.7% |
Transferred out | 1.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
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N/A |
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