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California Institute of Technology vs Menlo College

California Institute of Technology is a private institute in Pasadena, CA. Menlo College is a private college in Atherton, CA. California Institute of Technology admits about 3% of applicants and Menlo College about 68%, making California Institute of Technology the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $16,075 a year at California Institute of Technology after aid, and about $31,100 at Menlo College. About 94% of students graduate at California Institute of Technology, compared with 52% at Menlo College. Ten years after enrolling, California Institute of Technology alumni earn a median of about $128,566, against $76,419 for Menlo College.

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA · Private

Menlo College

Atherton, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Pasadena, CA
Atherton, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
987
752
Acceptance rate
3%
68%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.37–3.87
SAT (middle 50%)
1530–1580
916–1150
ACT (middle 50%)
35–36
18–23
Test policy
Required
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,075
$31,100
Full cost / yr
$86,886
$72,020
In-state tuition
$65,898
$53,630
Out-of-state tuition
$65,898
$53,630
Application fee
$75
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$0*
$25,546
$30k - $48k
$0*
$27,618
$48k - $75k
$431
$28,103
$75k - $110k
$18,753
$31,596
Over $110k
$54,157
$37,298
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
52%
Freshman retention
97%
70%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$132,140
$60,608
Median earnings (10 yr)
$128,566
$76,419
Median debt at graduation
Not reported
$21,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
18%
31%
First-generation students
Not reported
40%
International students
14%
22%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 30
Regular decision
Jan 4
Mar 15

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is California Institute of Technology or Menlo College harder to get into?
California Institute of Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 3% of applicants, compared with 68% at Menlo College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, California Institute of Technology or Menlo College?
California Institute of Technology is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,075 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $31,100 at Menlo College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at California Institute of Technology and Menlo College?
Before aid, Menlo College costs about $72,020 a year and California Institute of Technology about $86,886. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California Institute of Technology or Menlo College?
California Institute of Technology. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,133 there, against about $25,546 at Menlo College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California Institute of Technology or Menlo College?
California Institute of Technology is the larger of the two, with about 987 undergraduates against 752 at Menlo College.
Does California Institute of Technology or Menlo College have a better graduation rate?
California Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 52% at Menlo College.
Do graduates of California Institute of Technology or Menlo College earn more?
California Institute of Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $128,566 ten years after enrolling, against about $76,419 for Menlo College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California Institute of Technology and Menlo College require SAT or ACT scores?
California Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores. Menlo College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do California Institute of Technology and Menlo College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1530–1580 at California Institute of Technology and 916–1150 at Menlo College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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