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Canada College vs California Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Redwood City CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Pasadena CA

The verdict

Canada College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $64 in 0 years versus 0.8 years at California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $50,087 vs $128,566 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCanada CollegeCalifornia Institute of Technology
Net price / yr$32$16,075
Total net cost$64$64,300
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,087$128,566
Median debt
Payback0 yrs0.8 yrs
20-year net return$34,476$1,539,820

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Canada College or California Institute of Technology?

Canada College, at $32 a year after aid versus $16,075 — a gap of $16,043 a year, or $64,236 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Canada College or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?

California Institute of Technology graduates report a median $128,566 ten years after entry, $78,479 more than the $50,087 at Canada College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which graduates more of its students?

94% of students finish at California Institute of Technology, against 47% at Canada College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Canada College vs California Institute of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Canada College or California Institute of Technology a better value?
Canada College. It clears its $64 net cost in about 0 years versus 0.8 years at California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $50,087 vs $128,566 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Canada College or California Institute of Technology?
Canada College: $32/yr net price after aid versus $16,075/yr at California Institute of Technology — a difference of $16,043 a year, or about $64,236 over four years.
Do Canada College or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
California Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $128,566 ten years after entry, versus $50,087 at Canada College — a $78,479 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.