Caltech vs UCLA: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for California Institute of Technology and University of California-Los Angeles, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Caltech vs UCLA at a glance
Caltech admits 2.6% of applicants and UCLA 9% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $8,509 at Caltech and $14,659 at UCLA. Six-year graduation rates are 89.8% and 92.8%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- Caltech admits 2.6% of applicants and UCLA 9%, so Caltech is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $8,509 a year at Caltech and $14,659 at UCLA; Caltech costs $6,150 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $7,553 at Caltech and $7,755 at UCLA.
- 89.8% of students graduate within six years at Caltech, against 92.8% at UCLA.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $166,642 for Caltech and $88,581 for UCLA; Caltech is $78,061 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $7,500 at Caltech and $13,750 at UCLA.
- Caltech enrolls 987 students (midsize city) and UCLA 33,475 (large city).
- Caltech is a private nonprofit college and UCLA is a public college.
Side by side
Caltech and UCLA in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | Caltech | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 2.6% | 9% |
| Applicants | 13,026 | 139,489 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $8,509 | $14,659 |
| Tuition, in state | $68,208 | $15,729 |
| Tuition, out of state | $68,208 | $53,331 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,822 | $41,373 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $7,553 | $7,755 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,452 | $8,643 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $4,144 | $10,769 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $29,762 | $15,256 |
| Over $110,000 | Not reported | $32,922 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 89.8% | 92.8% |
| First-year retention | 97.4% | 97.3% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $166,642 | $88,581 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $7,500 | $13,750 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $85 | $156 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 987 | 33,475 |
| Type | Private nonprofit | Public |
| Setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
| Location | Pasadena, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
Caltech reports 25 bachelor's programs and UCLA 76; 21 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about Caltech vs UCLA
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into Caltech or UCLA?
Caltech is harder to get into by acceptance rate: Caltech admits 2.6% of applicants and UCLA admits 9%.
Which is cheaper, Caltech or UCLA?
Caltech has the lower average net price after grants: $8,509 a year at Caltech against $14,659 at UCLA. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $7,553 and $7,755. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do Caltech or UCLA graduates earn more?
Caltech graduates earn more at the median: $166,642 ten years after entry for Caltech and $88,581 for UCLA. Median federal debt at graduation is $7,500 and $13,750.
Which has a higher graduation rate, Caltech or UCLA?
UCLA does: 89.8% of Caltech students graduate within six years, against 92.8% at UCLA.
How big are Caltech and UCLA?
Caltech has 987 students in Pasadena, CA and UCLA has 33,475 students in Los Angeles, CA.