College comparison

Caltech vs MIT

A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.

Metric	Caltech Pasadena, CA	MIT Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rateCalifornia Institute of Technology is more selective	3%	5%
SAT (25–75)	—	1520–1580
ACT (25–75)	—	—
Undergrad enrollment	987	4,535
Avg net price	$16,075	$20,111
Median earnings (10 yr)MIT reports higher median earnings	$128,566	$143,372
Graduation rate	94%	96%
Median debt	—	$14,768
Economic mobility	3.2%	3.4%
Test policy	—	—
Type	Private (nonprofit)	Private (nonprofit)

Quick answers

Is California Institute of Technology or Massachusetts Institute of Technology harder to get into?

California Institute of Technology is more selective: California Institute of Technology's acceptance rate is approximately 3% and Massachusetts Institute of Technology's is approximately 5% (estimates from public and primary sources).

What SAT score do you need for California Institute of Technology vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?

The middle-50% SAT range is — at California Institute of Technology and 1520–1580 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.

These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.