Stanford University vs California Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Stanford University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $55,228 in 0.7 years versus 0.8 years at California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $124,080 vs $128,566 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Stanford University | California Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,807 | $16,075 |
| Total net cost | $55,228 | $64,300 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $124,080 | $128,566 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | — |
| Payback | 0.7 yrs | 0.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,459,172 | $1,539,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Stanford University or California Institute of Technology?
Stanford University, at $13,807 a year after aid versus $16,075 — a gap of $2,268 a year, or $9,072 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Stanford University or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
California Institute of Technology graduates report a median $128,566 ten years after entry, $4,486 more than the $124,080 at Stanford University. 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 92% at Stanford University. 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.