ocity

California Institute of Technology vs Northeastern University Oakland

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

💰
Best Value
California Institute of Technology
Lower Net Price
💼
High Earners
California Institute of Technology
Higher 10yr Salary
🏆
Most Selective
California Institute of Technology
Harder to get in
🎓
Graduation
California Institute of Technology
Higher success

California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA

Northeastern University Oakland
Oakland, CA
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
3.1%
16.5%
Avg SAT Score
Not reported
1,472
SAT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
1390 – 1520
Avg ACT Score
Not reported
31
ACT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
31 – 33
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$18,902
Not reported
Tuition (In-State)
$63,255
$63,949
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$63,255
$63,949
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
14.9%
Not reported
Federal Loan Rate
3.6%
Not reported
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$128,566
$92,538
Graduation Rate
93.6%
69.2%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
97.8%
Not reported
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
1,023
542
Undergrad Enrollment
1,023
Not reported
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

📋 Report Cards

California Institute of Technology

Academics
A+
Value
C+
Admissions
A+
Diversity
A+
Full Profile

Northeastern University Oakland

Academics
C+
Value
C
Admissions
A+
Diversity
A+
Full Profile

⚖️ Expert Analysis

California Institute of Technology and Northeastern University Oakland are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: California Institute of Technology is more selective with a 3.1% acceptance rate compared to Northeastern University Oakland's 16.5%.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median salary of $128,566 ten years after enrollment, which is $36,028 more than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($92,538).

Graduation: California Institute of Technology leads with a 93.6% graduation rate.

Campus Size: California Institute of Technology is the larger campus with 1,023 total students, while Northeastern University Oakland has 542.

Bottom Line: California Institute of Technology stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.

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