Cost & ROI · 2026
Is California Institute of Technology worth it?
Pay $16,075/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $128,566 ten years out — about 8.0× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A+.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
California Institute of Technology vs California avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical California college and the typical US college.
| Metric | California Institute of Technology | California avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $16,075 | $19,903 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $128,566 | $55,363 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | — | $17,539 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 94.4% | 54.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 2.6% | 66% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $347,544 over four years. Most students get $70,811/yr in grants and scholarships.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median California Institute of Technology grad earns about $3,342,640 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about California Institute of Technology
The average student at California Institute of Technology pays $16,075 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $86,886 published sticker price. That is below the CA average net price of $19,903.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $128,566 — above the CA median of $55,363. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at California Institute of Technology?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $16,075 per year. That's $70,811/yr in financial aid against the $86,886 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $64,300.
How much do California Institute of Technology graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, California Institute of Technology graduates earn a median of $128,566 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 8.0× the annual net cost.
Is California Institute of Technology worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns California Institute of Technology a value grade of A+ — top 6% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $16,075/yr, earn $128,566/yr ten years out, ROI score of 19.99. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at California Institute of Technology?
18% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 4.3% take federal student loans. On average, students get $70,811 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at California Institute of Technology?
In-state tuition is $65,898 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $65,898 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at California Institute of Technology?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about -$2,133. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $54,157. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →