Caltech vs Penn: Complete Comparison 2026
Side-by-side look at California Institute of Technology and University of Pennsylvania: QS 2026 ranks 15 vs 15. Acceptance, tuition, language tests, and typica…
→ California Institute of Technology profile → University of Pennsylvania profile
Summary comparison
Figures come from the GlobalAdmit dataset — always confirm on each university’s official admissions site.
| Metric | California Institute of Technology | University of Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| QS rank 2026 | 15 | 15 |
| Country | US 🇺🇸 | US 🇺🇸 |
| Acceptance rate | — | 6% |
| Tuition (intl / yr) | — | $66,000 |
| Language (summary) | IELTS 7+ · TOEFL 100+ · Duolingo 120+ | IELTS 7+ · TOEFL 100+ · Duolingo 120+ |
| IB typical | — | 40/45 |
| A-Level typical | — | A*AA |
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.
University of Pennsylvania
- Top 30 global recognition in QS World University Rankings 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 you are coming from IB / A-Levels / US high school
Compare the admission tabs on each profile: Caltech vs Penn 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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