| Caltech vs. USC |
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
#7 in National Universities #2 in California Colleges | Rankings* | #20 in National Universities #66 in World University Rankings #7 in California Colleges |
| Private (not-for-profit), four-years Research University (very high research activity) | School Type | Private (not-for-profit), four-years Research University (very high research activity) |
| Offered Degrees | ||
| Bachelor's Master's Post-MS Certificate Doctorate (Research) | Offered Degree | Bachelor's Post-BS Certificate Master's Post-MS Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) Doctorate (Other) |
| 2025 Tuition & Fees | ||
| cheaper$65,898 | Undergraduate Tuition | expensive$71,647 |
| cheaper$65,706 | Graduate Tuition | expensive$71,515 |
| More$52,266 | Average Financial Aid Amount | Less$44,920 |
| Admission | ||
| - | Test Scores | 1,500 SAT 33 ACT |
| Tighter2.57% | Acceptance Rate | Easier9.81% |
| Favorable61.24% | Yield (Enrollment Rate) | Lower43.34% |
| High School GPA High School Rank High School Record Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommendations Formal Demonstration of Competencies English Proficiency Test Work experience Personal statement or essay | Application Requirements (Required or Considered) | High School GPA High School Rank High School Record Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommendations Formal Demonstration of Competencies Admission Test Scores English Proficiency Test Work experience Personal statement or essay Legacy status |
| Credit for Military Training | Accepted Credits | Advanced placement (AP) Credits Credit for Military Training |
| Enrollment | ||
| Smaller2,430 | Total Enrollment | Larger46,566 |
| Smaller987 | Undergraduate Student Population | Larger20,630 |
| Smaller1,443 | Graduate Student Population | Larger25,936 |
| - | Online Student Population | 6,077 |
| Completion & Outcomes | ||
| Higher94% | Graduate Rate | Lower92% |
| 3% | Transfer-out Rate | - |
| Higher97% | Retention Rate | Lower96% |
| Special Learning Opportunity | ||
| ROTC Study Abroad | Special learning Opportunity | ROTC Study Abroad |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 1,572) | Campus Housing | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 8,500) |
| ✔ (Typical Annual Charge: $7,791) | Board/Meal Plan | ✔ (Typical Annual Charge: $6,930) |
| Faculty | ||
| Less Students per Faculty3 to 1 | Student to Faculty Ratio | More Students per Faculty9 to 1 |
| 365 | Number of faculty | 3,985 |
| Higher$215,315 | Average Faculty Salary | Lower$163,106 |
*Ranking data is from College Evaluator.