Schools: Harvard University vs. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Quick Verdict

Both Harvard and Caltech are elite universities with distinct strengths. Caltech excels in science and engineering with a very low student-faculty ratio and a highly selective admissions process. Harvard offers a broader range of programs and has a significantly larger endowment, providing extensive resources and a diverse academic environment. The best choice depends on the student's specific academic interests and preferred learning environment.

Caltech has a significantly lower acceptance rate (2.3%) compared to Harvard (3.59%), indicating higher selectivity.
Caltech boasts a lower student-faculty ratio (3:1) than Harvard (7:1), potentially offering more individualized attention.
Harvard's endowment is substantially larger ($53.2 billion) than Caltech's ($4.7 billion), suggesting greater financial resources.
Harvard offers a broader range of undergraduate (50 majors) and graduate programs (134 degrees) compared to Caltech (26 and 27 respectively).
Caltech is located in Pasadena, California, near Los Angeles, while Harvard is in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Both universities are highly ranked globally, but Caltech has a stronger emphasis on science and engineering, while Harvard offers a wider array of disciplines.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Harvard University	California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Acceptance Rate	3.59% (Class of 2028), approximately 3% overall	2.3% (Class of 2028)
Student-Faculty Ratio	7:1	3:1
Research Output (publications, citations)	Large, highly residential research university	Manages $332 million in research grants (as of 2010), 80 Nobel laureates affiliated (as of October 2024)
Endowment Size	$53.2 billion (as of June 30, 2024)	$4.7 billion (2025), nearly $3.6B (2023)
Number of Undergraduate Programs	50 majors	26
Number of Graduate Programs	134 degrees	27
Average SAT/ACT Score of Admitted Students	SAT: 1500-1580, ACT: 34-36	SAT: 1530-1570 (Class of 2023), ACT: 35-36 (Class of 2023)
Tuition and Fees	$61,676 (2025 academic year), total cost of attendance around $86,794 per year	$58,680 (2020-2021), $56,394 undergraduate (2021-2022), estimated $63,255 (2025)
Availability of Financial Aid and Scholarships	Around 55% of undergraduate students receive need-based financial aid, tuition is free for families earning less than $65,000 per year	Need-blind for domestic applicants, average financial aid award for freshmen: $74,950 (2012-2013)
Campus Size and Facilities	5,076 acres, main campus in Cambridge covers approximately 209 acres, includes academic buildings, dorms, green spaces, recreational facilities, and libraries	124 acres, research facilities include Seismological Laboratory, Palomar Observatory, and W.M. Keck Observatory
Location and Accessibility	Cambridge, Massachusetts, three main campuses in Cambridge, Allston, and Boston	Pasadena, California, 11 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles
Reputation and Rankings	Consistently ranked among the top universities globally	US News: Tied for 9th in the United States (2022), QS World University Rankings: #10 in the world (2026)

Overall Comparison

Harvard University: Acceptance Rate: 3.59%, Endowment: $53.2B, Student-Faculty Ratio: 7:1. California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Acceptance Rate: 2.3%, Endowment: $4.7B, Student-Faculty Ratio: 3:1.

Pros and Cons

Harvard University

Pros:

Dynamic and diverse academic environment
Distinguished faculty
Numerous research opportunities for undergraduates
Individualized attention from professors due to low student-faculty ratio
Strong career services and alumni network (over 400,000 alumni worldwide)
Unique House system for undergraduate experience
Diverse student body
Wide range of extracurricular activities
Located in a safe community with many amenities
Resources for students with disabilities

Cons:

Rigorous courses
Many students are driven and often over-committed

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Pros:

Extremely selective with a very low acceptance rate
Low student-to-faculty ratio (3:1)
Strong emphasis on science and engineering
Significant research funding and output
High endowment size
Offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs
Need-blind financial aid for domestic applicants
Located in Pasadena, close to Los Angeles
Consistently ranked among the top universities globally
Offers various research opportunities for undergraduates (SURF program)
Opportunities for one-on-one interaction with faculty
Diverse student body
Over 100 official student-led clubs and organizations
Caltech alumni have earned national and international recognition
Strives to promote equity, improve diversity statistics, and create an inclusive atmosphere

Cons:

Rigorous academic environment with a heavy course load
Extremely selective, making admission highly competitive

User Experiences and Feedback

Harvard University

What Users Love

Alumni are generally satisfied with their education and its impact on their careers

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Current students describe the academic environment as dynamic and diverse, characterized by rigorous courses and distinguished faculty.
The workload is considered manageable by some

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

What Users Love

Known for its rigorous academic environment
Offers various research opportunities for undergraduates
Low student-faculty ratio provides undergraduates with many opportunities to be involved in cutting-edge scientific research
Many opportunities for one-on-one interaction with faculty
Caltech alumni have earned national and international recognition
Recognized for having a diverse student body
Pasadena offers a suburban feel with urban amenities and is close to downtown Los Angeles
Strives to promote equity, improve diversity statistics, and create an inclusive atmosphere

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.