California Institute of Technology vs Columbia University

California Institute of Technology is the more selective of the two at 3%, versus 4% at Columbia University. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

California Institute of Technology and Columbia University are almost equally selective (3% vs 4%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. California Institute of Technology leans more on a similar mix of factors, while Columbia University puts more weight on application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, California Institute of Technology's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1580 and Columbia University's is around 1560. Admitted students at California Institute of Technology post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.