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California Institute of Technology vs University of California-Berkeley

California Institute of Technology is a private institute in Pasadena, CA. University of California-Berkeley is a public university in Berkeley, CA. California Institute of Technology admits about 3% of applicants and University of California-Berkeley about 11%, making California Institute of Technology the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,481 a year at University of California-Berkeley after aid, and about $16,075 at California Institute of Technology. About 94% of students graduate at California Institute of Technology, compared with 93% at University of California-Berkeley. Ten years after enrolling, California Institute of Technology alumni earn a median of about $128,566, against $92,446 for University of California-Berkeley.

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA · Private

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Pasadena, CA
Berkeley, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
987
33,068
Acceptance rate
3%
11%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1530–1580
1310–1530
ACT (middle 50%)
35–36
30–35
Test policy
Required
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,075
$13,481
Full cost / yr
$86,886
$45,619
In-state tuition
$65,898
$16,347
Out-of-state tuition
$65,898
$50,547
Application fee
$75
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$0*
$5,311
$30k - $48k
$0*
$6,501
$48k - $75k
$431
$9,693
$75k - $110k
$18,753
$15,074
Over $110k
$54,157
$34,529
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
93%
Freshman retention
97%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$132,140
$74,919
Median earnings (10 yr)
$128,566
$92,446
Median debt at graduation
Not reported
$13,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
18%
29%
First-generation students
Not reported
35%
International students
14%
10%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 4
Nov 30

* 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 University of California-Berkeley harder to get into?
California Institute of Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 3% of applicants, compared with 11% at University of California-Berkeley. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
University of California-Berkeley is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,481 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $16,075 at California Institute of Technology. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
Before aid, University of California-Berkeley costs about $45,619 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 University of California-Berkeley?
California Institute of Technology. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,133 there, against about $5,311 at University of California-Berkeley. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
University of California-Berkeley is the larger of the two, with about 33,068 undergraduates against 987 at California Institute of Technology.
Does California Institute of Technology or University of California-Berkeley have a better graduation rate?
California Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 93% at University of California-Berkeley.
Do graduates of California Institute of Technology or University of California-Berkeley earn more?
California Institute of Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $128,566 ten years after enrolling, against about $92,446 for University of California-Berkeley. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California Institute of Technology and University of California-Berkeley require SAT or ACT scores?
California Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores. University of California-Berkeley is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do California Institute of Technology and University of California-Berkeley look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1530–1580 at California Institute of Technology and 1310–1530 at University of California-Berkeley. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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