Yale University vs California Institute of Technology
Yale University and California Institute of Technology (Caltech) stand as two of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world, each offering a unique educational experience. Yale, an Ivy League institution located in New Haven, Connecticut, boasts a rich history and a diverse student body, while Caltech, situated in Pasadena, California, is renowned for its exceptional strength in science and engineering. With acceptance rates of 6.3% and 7.7%, respectively, both universities are highly selective, attracting top students from around the globe. While Yale offers a wide range of undergraduate majors, including popular choices like history, economics, and English, Caltech focuses primarily on science and engineering disciplines, with majors such as physics, engineering, and computer science dominating the landscape. Explore the comparison table below to delve deeper into the differences between these two esteemed institutions and discover which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() California Institute of Technology |
![]() Yale University |
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Overview |
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Location | Pasadena, California | New Haven, Connecticut |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
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 | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 3.9% | 5.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$100
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Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$105
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SAT range | N/A | 1480 - 1580 |
ACT range | N/A | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 54.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 35.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 13,026 | 47,240 |
Total number of admissions given out | 510 | 2,509 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 270 | 1,786 |
Yield rate | 52.9% | 71.2% |
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 | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,122 | $82,170 |
Average net price | $30,162 | $20,605 |
Tuition | $56,364 | $59,950 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,398
Meal plan:
$7,350
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Room/dormitory:
$10,100
Meal plan:
$7,700
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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 |
58.0%
Average amount $58,715 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
5.0%
Average amount $5,333 |
5.0%
Average amount $4,879 |
Students taking out private loans |
15.0%
Average amount $4,732 |
0.0%
Average amount $5,094 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
987
Men 55.3% Women 44.7% |
6,536
Men 48.6% Women 51.4% |
Graduate students |
1,410
Men 66.7% Women 33.3% |
8,031
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 92.2% | 93.6% |
International students | 29.4% | 21.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,572 | 5,576 |
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 New York Connecticut Texas New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 3:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 92.9% | 96.9% |
Dropout rate | 4.6% | 2.5% |
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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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (Doctoral Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees)
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