Caltech vs Stanford
How Caltech and Stanford stack up on the numbers that decide where you apply: selectivity, cost after aid, testing, and essays.
| Caltech | Stanford | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 3% | 3.61% |
| SAT (middle 50%) | 1530-1580 | 1500-1570 |
| Testing policy | Required | Required |
| Type | Private | Private |
| Location | CA | CA |
| Sticker price (per year) | $90,822 | $90,000 |
| Average cost after aid | $23,397 | $17,000 |
| Supplemental essays | 2 | 8 |
- Caltech is harder to get into than Stanford (3% versus 3.61%), so treat it as the bigger reach.
- After aid, Stanford is usually the cheaper option ($17,000 versus $23,397 per year on average).
- Stanford asks for more supplemental writing (8 essays versus 2), so budget more time for its application.
- Run the free chances calculator to see your real odds at both, then get a free read on each school's essays.
Caltech vs Stanford FAQ
Is Caltech or Stanford harder to get into?
Caltech is harder to get into, admitting about 3% of applicants versus 3.61% at Stanford.
Is Caltech or Stanford cheaper?
After financial aid, Stanford is usually cheaper, about $17,000 per year on average versus $23,397 at Caltech.
See your real chances at Caltech and Stanford.
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