Overview
California Institute of Technology is a private institution that was founded in 1891. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 982 (fall 2023), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 124 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. California Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #7. Its tuition and fees are $63,255.
Caltech, which focuses on science and engineering, is located in Pasadena, California, approximately 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Social and academic life at Caltech centers on 11 student residences and houses. Student houses incorporate an admired Caltech tradition: dinners served by student waiters. First-year students are guaranteed housing, and most students remain on campus for all four years. The Caltech Beavers have a number of NCAA Division III teams that compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Integral to student life is the Honor Code, which dictates that "No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community."
In addition to its undergraduate studies, Caltech offers top graduate programs in engineering and areas of science including biology, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics and physics. Caltech produces a significant amount of research, receiving grants from institutions such as NASA, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Health and Human Services, among others. Close to 90% of undergraduate students participate in research while earning their degree. Caltech maintains a strong tradition of pranking with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, another top-ranked science and technology university. Companies such as Intel, Compaq and Hotmail were founded by Caltech alumni. Famous film director Frank Capra also graduated from Caltech.
Admissions
Jan.3
Application Deadline
3%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
SAT Range*
N/A
ACT Range*
N/A
High School GPA*
* These are the average scores of applications admitted to this school. Ranges represent admitted applicants who fell within the 25th and 75th percentile.
California Institute of Technology has an acceptance rate of 3%. The application deadline at California Institute of Technology is Jan. 3.
Admissions officials at California Institute of Technology consider a student's GPA an important academic factor. An applicant's high school class rank, when available, is considered important and letters of recommendation are considered very important for admissions officials at California Institute of Technology.
Cost
$ 29.279
/ Annual cost- Tuition & Fees: $63,255
- Room & Board: $19,503(2023-24)
- Average Need-Based Aid Package: $64,303
International Student’s Requirements
● Application deadline - Fall - January 3
● No separate application required - $75
● No conditional admission offered
● Only early action allowed
● Either TOEFL or IELTS required
● Either SAT or ACT not applicable
Enrollment
Caltech enrolled 987 undergraduate students and 1,410 graduate students for the 2021–2022 school year. Women made up 45% of the undergraduate and 33% of the graduate student body. The racial demographics of the school substantially differ from those of the nation as a whole. The four-year graduation rate is 79% and the six-year rate is 92%, which is low compared to most leading U.S. universities, but substantially higher than it was in the 1960s and 1970s. Students majoring in STEM fields traditionally have graduation rates below 70%.
Student Body Composition as of July 16, 2023.
Race and Ethnicity
Asian 35%
White 23%
Hispanic 22%
Other 9%
Foreign National 8%
Black 3%
Economic Diversity
Low-income 11%
Affluent 89%
Does Caltech have a social life?
Caltech has over 100 official student-led clubs and organizations. Alpine Skiing, Quiz bowl, cultural identity organizations, robotics, and the Cheese Society are just a few of our offerings. There is even a Turtle Club.
Restaurants near California Institute of Technology
● Pie & Burger - American
● Athenaeum - American
● Green Street Restaurant - American
● The Arbour - American
● Peet’s Coffee &Tea - American
● Nothing Bundt Cakes - American
● Einstein Bros. Bagels - American
● Noda Restaurant - Asian
● Nick’s on South Lake Avenue - American
● Magnolia House - American
● Pillow Talk - American
● Tpumps - American
● Baskin-Robbins - American
Student Diversity
Academics
4-Year Graduation Rate
Student/Faculty Ratio
Classes With Fewer Than 20 Students
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)