“Caltech vs MIT?” is the question that always confuses candidates in application season. Caltech and MIT represent the California Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, respectively. Both of the two institutes are extremely prestigious in the US, especially for students who have a strong passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. However, making a choice between the two universities requires more comprehensive information. This article will walk through important factors that students care to compare so they can make a well-informed decision.
California Institute of Technology vs MIT: Overview
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) was founded in 1891 in Pasadena, California. The institution is located in a small town and has a relatively small number of students—around 1000 undergraduate students and 1440 graduate students. But Caltech operates many remarkable facilities (laboratories) and has cultivated 48 Nobel laureates.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was incorporated in 1861 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT provides a larger campus and more faculty, which allows for a greater number of students—more than 4000 undergraduate students and over 7000 graduate students. And MIT has been honored with 105 Nobel Laureates.
The table below shows a brief comparison between Caltech and MIT.
| MIT vs Caltech: Key Aspects | MIT | Caltech |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Cambridge | Pasadena |
| QS World University Ranking 2026 | 1 | 10 |
| Acceptance Rrate 2025 | 5% | 3% |
| Tuition | $64,310 | $65,622 |
| Cost of Attendence | $89,340 | $93,912 |
| Average Starting Salary for Graduates | $126,438 | $116,000 |
Caltech vs MIT: Key Comparison
Both the California Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are world-class private research universities in the US. And they both have a strong focus on STEM subjects academically and are ranked among the top universities in the world ranking lists. At the same time, there are differences between them.
Location
Caltech and MIT are located at opposite ends of the country. Both of them are in small university towns while close to a major city, and have nice locations. But the two places are very different.
Pasadena is home to Caltech, although it’s not a well-known city in California. The more famous downtown Los Angeles is 18 km away; it’s about a 25-minute drive. Living in Southern California, students will enjoy warm weather and sunshine all year.
Cambridge, where MIT is based, is more well-known than Pasadena and has easy access to Boston. Harvard University is also here, with many other tourist attractions like the River Cam. Different from sunny LA, Cambridge has four distinct seasons. Students will experience hot summers but cold winters as well.
Academic Strength
Both MIT and Caltech are top-tier educational institutions for science and engineering in the world. They have similar 3:1 student-faculty ratios, which implies only three students per professor at the school. At the same time, there are differences in academic program settings.
Caltech has six academic divisions (Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geological, Humanities, and Physics) and offers 28 majors and 12 minors. Most of these majors are highly related to science and technology, as expected, though Caltech also provides programs in the fields of business and social science. Caltech focuses on world leaders through its rigorous curriculum and small class size. According to the QS World University Ranking, Caltech is ranked NO.10 in 2025 and 2026. MIT has been ranked continuously higher and has stayed at No. 1 in recent years.
MIT has a broader scope of available courses for students, offering 54 majors across five schools and one college. Besides, business school and architecture school are set here but absent in Caltech. MIT has more academic variety to choose from, from STEM courses to the business, humanities, arts, and social sciences. The principle of learning by doing is applied to education; students develop the capacity for rigorous analysis and imagination, thereby enabling them to address challenging problems and benefit society. In comparison, MIT is more focused on hands-on practice, while Caltech is known more for pure, theoretical science.
| Caltech vs MIT: Top 5 Most Popular Majors | |
|---|---|
| Caltech | MIT |
| Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Mechanical Engineering | Mathematics,General |
| Physics,General | Mechanical Engineering |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | Electrical can Electronics Engineering |
| Electrical can Electronics Engineering | Physics,General |
Admission
Caltech has a very low acceptance rate of 3% and is ranked NO. 3 for the lowest acceptance rate, according to U.S. News. Here, admissions officials value the applicant’s GPA, high school class rank (if available), and recommendation letters as essential considerations. Each faculty member is also engaged in the review of competitive applications. For all international students, except for native English speakers or those for whom English was the primary language during secondary school, English proficiency exam scores are required. The minimum requirement for TOEFL is 100, or a minimum requirement of 7 in IELTS. In addition to SAT and ACT scores, Caltech has a special course requirement that applicants must take four years of math with one year of calculus, physics, and chemistry in high school. Otherwise, students should provide substitute examinations and certificates for the course requirements, such as AP or IB exam scores.
MIT has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 5%, but it is still relatively low compared to most universities. And MIT’s admissions officials have similar considerations for applicants. For first-year and transfer students, the SAT or ACT scores are required. However, the optional SAT essay and the ACT writing are not in the requirements. On average, the students admitted to MIT have an SAT score in the range of 1520-1580 or an ACT score in the range of 34-36. For non-native English speakers, there are minimum requirements on English proficiency exams, such as a minimum score of 90 on TOEFL or a score of at least 7 on IELTS.
Living Cost
In the California Institute of Technology vs MIT comparison, the cost of living is a primary differentiating factor. Based on the estimates from Caltech and MIT, the cost of attendance outlines the living costs that attendees may need during a 9-month study.
The estimation of spending on housing at Caltech is $12,105; if a student wants to rent off campus, they need a higher budget of around $15,000. If you’re going to find Caltech housing off campus with a cheaper choice, rent from $495/month with all bills included; you can find them from uhomes.com. The student life cost is much higher at Caltech; students need $2,500 for clubs, organisations, sports, and other activities. The food cost is about $8,800 in total. And the cost of personal expenses is in the range of $3,200–$5,000, depending on whether students live on-campus or off-campus. Notably, Caltech students can enjoy a free Metro Pass and access local bus and rail services without limitation.
MIT lists the cost of attendance mainly according to the expenses of first-year students, who are required to live on campus. At the same time, the residence cost varies among different halls or groups. The most expensive double room costs $13,614 for reference; the housing bill will be issued every semester. If you want to explore MIT off-campus housing with more choice and for better facilities, uhomes.com can help you with 1-on-1 professional support and exclusive offers. The expenses for student life are relatively low at MIT, which is $420, and a food budget of $7,650 covers the most expensive dining plan, which includes self-cooking. The personal expenses are $2,436 at MIT, also estimated lower than at Caltech, including spending on shopping for necessities, laundry, and other bills, which is enough to cover the tuition fee and a large portion of living expenses in a year. Most of the students spend less than the estimated price.
Tuition/Financial Support
In the 2025-26 academic year, Caltech charges each student $65,622 for tuition. The university practices need-blind admission for local candidates and practices need-aware admission for international students due to limited budget. But all admitted students’ financial needs will be 100% fulfilled after verification. The financial aid will cover tuition, fees, housing, and food for students with less than $100,000 family income and cover the tuition for students with less than $200,000 family income. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the first-year undergraduates received $73,000 in aid on average.
The tuition fee at MIT is $64,310 for every student in the 2025-26 academic year. It covers the basic health insurance that students will access for urgent care, mental health visits, and specialist care without extra cost. For undergraduate students (including international students), the university practices need-blind admission and will meet 100% of the financial need. Students from households with an annual income below $100,000 qualify for a $0 parent contribution, and households with an annual income below $200,000 enjoy tuition-free education. Most of the undergraduates at MIT spent less than the estimated study price. In the year 2004-2005, 39.47% of students received scholarships and aid equal to or greater than the tuition fee, and the median scholarship was $69,777, so there was money left over after paying tuition.
| Caltech vs MIT: Tuition/Financial Aid | Caltech | MIT |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $65,622 | $64,310 |
| Annual Family Income < $100,000 | $0 Parent Contribute | $0 Parent Contribute |
| Annual Family Income < $200,000 | Cover the Tuition | Cover the Tuition |
| Median Scholarship/Aid for First-year Student | $73,000 | $69,777 |
Career Opportunities
There are many students who value the career outcomes after graduation a lot; people usually expect a high return on investment. Both Caltech and MIT provide comprehensive career services for students. The career services help students make selections, build skills and confidence, and connect them with alumni and career opportunities from academia, companies, organisations, and other fields. In addition to seeking support from career advisors, students can also participate in networking events and career fairs.
Many Caltech graduates choose to continue their academic pursuits. The fields of industry, research, and entrepreneurship host another large group of Caltech graduates. Caltech’s graduates are in high demand in the fields of science, finance, biotechnology, and aerospace. Additionally, national institutions, consulting firms, and technology and pharmaceutical companies also feature a presence of alums from Caltech. The early career salary of Caltech undergraduates is $116,000 on average, which is significantly higher than the median annual wage for US undergraduates, which stands at $92,260 according to the latest statistics from the Bureau of Labour Statistics.
The breadth of MIT’s curriculum causes the distinguished performance of its alums across various sectors. Refer to the MIT Graduating Student Survey 2025: a significant portion of undergraduates choose to pursue employment after graduation, and many of the rest engage in further academic development. The majority of them have joined the information or computer technology industry, as well as engineering, finance, consulting, medical, non-profit, and other industries. After graduation, the average starting salary for an MIT student is $126,438 in 2024. Graduates in the finance and insurance, and information/computer technology industries had a significant salary premium.
Campus Life
Caltech provides a wide range of enriching extracurricular activities for students and offers opportunities to network and enjoy diverse campus life. There are more than 150 student clubs and sports organisations. Students can develop their varied interests by participating in various activities organised on campus. And students will not miss any public events with the up-to-date upcoming events calendar.
MIT offers a richer variety of extracurricular activities; there are more than 500 student organisations and more than 20 chaplains for different faith traditions. Students can develop their own interests to take a break from rigorous academic life, from art, music, and sports to clubs/groups that allow students to immerse themselves in diverse cultures. MIT also provides mental support to help students release study stress by arranging visits from puppies, pigs, and pygmy goats. In the Caltech vs MIT debate, MIT takes an advantage from the diversity of campus activities.
Caltech vs MIT: Which One is Better?
A central question for many applicants, Caltech vs MIT, requires careful consideration. The four essential factors are listed for your opinion.
- Location: Living in California or Cambridge will be very different in terms of weather and culture. Students should think carefully about which area they would enjoy and adapt to more easily.
- Academic: It is essential to consider whether the major you want to study is offered at each university. If they both offer the major you want, you should compare which university is more attractive in the related field. However, if you are not sure what you want to study yet, MIT might be a better choice bIT has many more major options than Caltech to explore.
- Cost: The tuition fee is similar for these two universities. However, other costs such as food, transportation, housing, and activities can vary depending on the city you live in.
- Financial Aid: Both universities guarantee to meet 100% financial need from required students. And they both practice need-blind admissions for applicants. However, Caltech is need-aware for international students.
Conclusion
Both Caltech and MIT are elite institutions in the field of science and technology; there are many aspects to consider when the application process comes around. Although there is no rivalry between the two universities, there is a particular comparative atmosphere when applicants need to make a choice. The final decision will be based on each applicant’s personal considerations.
FAQ
Is Caltech better than MIT?
There is no absolute answer regarding this question. The answer will be different when students are considering different perspectives. The academic should be prioritised; examine the course details, professor information, and research resources attentively. If you are interested in subjects other than STEM, MIT has a broader scope of courses. If you prefer to study in a small town, Caltech may be a better choice. Applicants should look at the big picture to make a decision.
Do Caltech and MIT belong to the Ivy League?
No, neither Caltech nor MIT is an Ivy League member. The Ivy League is a specific athletic conference comprising 8 fixed member universities in the US. Similarly, these 8 universities are also elite academic institutions and famous worldwide, so that people may be confused. However, Caltech and MIT are often referred to as the “Ivy Plus.”
California Institute of Technology vs MIT: Which one is harder to get into
Based on the acceptance rates, the California Institute of Technology is more competitive than MIT. Caltech has a relatively lower acceptance rate at 3%, and MIT’s acceptance rate is about 5%. Both universities will consider students with competitive academic backgrounds. In addition, for international students, Caltech may have higher requirements for the English Language Exam.
MIT vs Caltech: Which one is more prestigious?
Both Caltech and MIT are very well-known institutions worldwide, especially in the fields of science and engineering. However, MIT typically holds a higher position than Caltech across university rankings.
Can I get a 100% scholarship to MIT or CalTech?
Both universities commit to guaranteeing 100% of the financial needs of students. Similarly, for undergraduate students, for families with an annual income less than $100k, the parents’ contribution is $0; for most families with an annual income less than $200k, students enjoy tuition-free education. But Caltech has need-aware admission for international students due to budget restrictions.
How do the cultures at Caltech and MIT differ?
Caltech offers students a more academically focused atmosphere, with a stronger emphasis on theory and research, and a lower teacher-student ratio. While MIT is a more diverse choice, its campus is larger and the curriculum is more extensive. Encourage students’ innovative ability in a collaborative environment.
Can I apply to both Caltech and MIT?
Yes, you can apply to both Caltech and MIT. In fields like STEM, both universities have demonstrated extraordinary performance. Applying to both Caltech and MIT is a strategic way to increase your chances of being accepted by either. While both universities are highly competitive with low acceptance rates, don’t forget to apply early!
Is Caltech better than Stanford?
Caltech is a better choice than Stanford if you prefer to study in STEM fields in a smaller class size and a more research-based atmosphere. If you like to gain an interdisciplinary experience with access to a wider scope of academic studies, or aspire to pursue entrepreneurship and innovation in the future, Stanford might be your top choice.
