Caltech vs Stanford: Complete Comparison 2026
Side-by-side look at California Institute of Technology and Stanford University: QS 2026 ranks 15 vs 6. Acceptance, tuition, language tests, and typical IB/A-L…
→ California Institute of Technology profile → Stanford University profile
Summary comparison
Figures come from the GlobalAdmit dataset — always confirm on each university’s official admissions site.
| Metric | California Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
|---|---|---|
| QS rank 2026 | 15 | 6 |
| Country | US 🇺🇸 | US 🇺🇸 |
| Acceptance rate | — | 4% |
| Tuition (intl / yr) | — | $62,484 |
| Language (summary) | IELTS 7+ · TOEFL 100+ · Duolingo 120+ | IELTS 7+ · TOEFL 100+ · Duolingo 120+ |
| IB typical | — | 42/45 |
| A-Level typical | — | A*A*A |
Strengths
California Institute of Technology
- Top 30 global recognition in QS World University Rankings 2026.
- Deep ties to US graduate training, recruiting, and industry hubs.
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
Stanford University
- Globally elite QS band (top 10 in 2026).
- Highly selective admissions profile.
- Deep ties to US graduate training, recruiting, and industry hubs.
Popular majors (overlap)
Where both profiles list the same popular major label (case-insensitive).
No overlapping popular-major labels in our dataset yet — open each profile for subject-level detail.
Which is right for you?
If rankings are your north star
Stanford sits higher in QS 2026 (6 vs 15). That often correlates with research intensity and global name recognition — but Caltech can still win on programme fit, city, or cost.
If you are coming from IB / A-Levels / US high school
Compare the admission tabs on each profile: Caltech vs Stanford can invert depending on whether you are optimising for IB typical offers, A-level expectations, or US-style testing. Use the evaluator after you narrow your list.
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