California Institute of Technology vs University of Illinois At Urbana-champaign
01 · Global Academic Standing
Caltech offers an elite, intensely focused research environment for theoretical sciences and engineering. Its global prestige stems from groundbreaking discoveries within a small, specialized community. UIUC provides a broader, large-scale, highly-ranked public university, excelling in applied engineering/CS with strong industry connections.
02 · Departmental & Subject Strengths
For unparalleled depth in cosmic exploration, Caltech excels in its Astrophysics program, leveraging JPL. Conversely, University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign dominates in Computer Science, offering immense scale, practical applications, and an unmatched industry pipeline.
03 · Campus Environment & Cohort Culture
Choose Caltech for intensely rigorous, small-group theoretical science and research. Opt for UIUC if you seek a comprehensive, large-scale engineering education with strong industry ties, diverse campus life, and impactful practical applications.
Head-to-Head Indicator Showdown
| Comparative Dimension | California Institute of Technology | University of Illinois At Urbana-champaign |
|---|---|---|
QS World University Rank Global employer & academic reputation index | #7 (2027)+67 places | #74 (2027) |
THE World University Rank Teaching, research environment & citations | #7 (2027)+41 places | #48 (2027) |
ARWU Shanghai Rank Nobel/Fields alumni & highly cited researchers | #10 (2026)+36 places | #46 (2026) |
U.S. News Global Rank Global research reputation & publications | #23 (2027)+75 places | #98 (2027) |
Admissions Selectivity Estimated acceptance rate (lower = more selective) | 3%More selective | 44% |
Annual International Tuition Estimated undergraduate/graduate base fee | $62,388 | $39,078Lower tuition |
Founding Heritage Year of institutional establishment | 1891 | 1867Lead |
Student Cohort Scale Total enrolled degree-seeking students | 2,430 | 59,238 |
Campus Safety Index Composite campus & surrounding municipal safety | 92 / 100Lead | 88 / 100 |
10-Year Historical Ranking Trajectory
Decade-long global standing curve across major league tables (higher curve position = stronger rank).
QS Subject Rankings Showdown
Click any discipline row to inspect side-by-side degree programs, tuition, and scholarships below.
| Academic Subject (Click to Inspect Programs) | California Institute of | Illinois At Urbana-champaign |
|---|---|---|
| Physics and Astronomy | #6 | #29 |
| Engineering & Technology | #9 | #26 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering | #14 | #30 |
California Institute of · Specialist Subject Standings
Illinois At Urbana-champaign · Specialist Subject Standings
Cost of Living & Annual Budget Face-off
Estimated monthly student expenditure in Pasadena vs Urbana-Champaign alongside annual international tuition.
California Institute of (Pasadena)
Illinois At Urbana-champaign (Urbana-Champaign)
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