California Institute of Technology vs Notre Dame
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and University of Notre Dame stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life. Caltech, renowned for its rigorous STEM programs and groundbreaking research, boasts an acceptance rate of 7.7%, making it one of the most selective universities in the nation. Notre Dame, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive curriculum with strengths in both the liberal arts and professional fields, and an acceptance rate of 18.6%. While Caltech's student body is predominantly male (62%) and international (22%), Notre Dame fosters a more diverse community with a 50:50 gender ratio and a smaller international student population (10%). Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Caltech's 94% rate slightly edging out Notre Dame's 92%. To help you make an informed decision about your academic journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table
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![]() California Institute of Technology |
![]() University of Notre Dame |
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Overview |
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Location | Pasadena, California | Notre Dame, Indiana |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 99.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 3.9% | 15.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$100
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | N/A | 1410 - 1550 |
ACT range | N/A | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 33.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 36.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 13,026 | 23,642 |
Total number of admissions given out | 510 | 3,562 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 270 | 2,059 |
Yield rate | 52.9% | 57.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,122 | $78,347 |
Average net price | $30,162 | $30,513 |
Tuition | $56,364 | $58,336 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,398
Meal plan:
$7,350
|
$16,304 |
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 |
57.0%
Average amount $46,306 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
5.0%
Average amount $5,333 |
30.0%
Average amount $4,134 |
Students taking out private loans |
15.0%
Average amount $4,732 |
12.0%
Average amount $8,564 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
987
Men 55.3% Women 44.7% |
8,973
Men 51.6% Women 48.4% |
Graduate students |
1,410
Men 66.7% Women 33.3% |
4,166
Men 56.5% Women 43.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 92.2% | 93.1% |
International students | 29.4% | 12.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,572 | 6,919 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Texas Georgia Maryland Florida | Illinois California Texas Indiana New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 3:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 92.9% | 95.9% |
Dropout rate | 4.6% | 3.9% |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (First Professional Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (First Professional Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics and Statistics, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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