by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a Caltech degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how Caltech measures up.
Caltech is ranked #1,535 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within California, it ranks #143 of 304 for value.
Among the majors Caltech offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Physical Sciences | #81 of 188 |
| Computer Science / Programming | #178 of 465 |
| Information Systems | #381 of 927 |
Read the full Caltech value report below — how it ranks within its state, how it ranks nationwide, what a degree actually costs, and whether it makes financial sense.
California Institute of Technology is ranked #143 out of #304 for California value.
Do you qualify for in-state tuition? Check the Caltech financial aid page to be sure.
California Institute of Technology is ranked #1,535 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, California Institute of Technology is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at Caltech costs about $45,108. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $180,430 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $86,886 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $16,075 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $45,108 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $180,430 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the Caltech net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What Caltech costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a Caltech degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $347,544 | — | — |
| All Students | $180,430 | #1,535 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $64,300 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $347,544 | — | — |
| All Students | $180,430 | #143 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $64,300 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at Caltech shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $1,667 |
| $30K–$48K | $1,023 |
| $48K–$75K | $7,003 |
| $75K–$110K | $22,073 |
| Over $110K | $56,275 |
About 59% of Caltech undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $58,526 per year. Get more details on the Caltech financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual calculates value by comparing the average Caltech cost of a degree against other schools of a similar quality. If the school is priced fairly for the educational quality it provides, it receives a fair ranking; if it is underpriced, it earns a good or excellent value.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.