Academic Comparison between Caltech and Fresno State

California Institute of Technology and California State University-San Marcos are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Caltech is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Pasadena, CA and Fresno State is a four-year, public school located in San Marcos, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Caltech is a private (not-for-profit) and Fresno State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Caltech has more expensive tuition & fees ($63,255) than Fresno State ($19,614).
  • It is harder to admit to Caltech than Fresno State.
  • Fresno State has more students with 15,109 students while Caltech has 2,401 students.
  • Caltech has a lower number of students per faculty with 3 to 1 while Fresno State's ratio is 23 to 1.
  • Fresno State has more full-time faculties with 392 faculties while Caltech has 357 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Institute of Technologyvs.California State University-San Marcos
Pasadena, CaliforniaLocationSan Marcos, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$63,2552024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$7,734
Out-Of-State$19,614
62%% Receiving Financial Aid65%
$47,135Average Amount of Financial Aid$8,305
3.00 %Acceptance Rates96.00 %
64.89 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)16.00 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
94 %Graduation Rate56 %
3 %Transfer-out Rate3 %
98 %Retention Rate72 %
2,401Student Population15,109
357Number of Faculties392
3 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio23 to 1
ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare