California Institute of Technology vs Brown University
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Brown University stand out as two of the most prestigious and selective institutions of higher learning in the United States. While they share a commitment to academic excellence and groundbreaking research, these universities offer distinct experiences for their students. Caltech, renowned for its strength in science and engineering, boasts an acceptance rate of just 7.7%, while Brown, known for its liberal arts curriculum and open curriculum, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 8.6%. Both universities attract a diverse student body, with Caltech's student population comprising 42% international students and Brown's student body being 13% international. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these institutions, including popular majors, graduation rates, and other key factors, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Brown University |
![]() California Institute of Technology |
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Overview |
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Location | Providence, Rhode Island | Pasadena, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 99.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 5.5% | 3.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$100
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SAT range | 1460 - 1570 | N/A |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 46,568 | 13,026 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,568 | 510 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,705 | 270 |
Yield rate | 66.4% | 52.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,570 | $82,122 |
Average net price | $25,028 | $30,162 |
Tuition | $60,944 | $56,364 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,054
Meal plan:
$6,292
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Room/dormitory:
$10,398
Meal plan:
$7,350
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $55,420 |
54.0%
Average amount $47,556 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
9.0%
Average amount $5,159 |
5.0%
Average amount $5,333 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $27,008 |
15.0%
Average amount $4,732 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,349
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
987
Men 55.3% Women 44.7% |
Graduate students |
3,347
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
1,410
Men 66.7% Women 33.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 96.5% | 92.2% |
International students | 18.6% | 29.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 5,013 | 1,572 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas | California Texas Georgia Maryland Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 3:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.8% | 92.9% |
Dropout rate | 3.7% | 4.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 1.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
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