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California Institute of Technology

Pasadena , CA

California Institute of Technology, also known as Caltech, is a world-renowned private research university located in Pasadena, California. Established in 1891, the institute has gained a stellar reputation for its focus on science and engineering disciplines. Caltech consistently ranks among the top universities globally, attracting exceptional students and faculty from around the world.

At Caltech, the emphasis is on ground-breaking research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge and innovation. The institute offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields, including physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, mechanical engineering, and applied mathematics. Known for its rigorous academic curriculum, Caltech fosters a collaborative and supportive learning environment that encourages students to explore their intellectual curiosity.

In addition to academics, Caltech boasts state-of-the-art facilities and resources that facilitate cutting-edge research. The institute is affiliated with renowned research centers and laboratories, such as NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where scientists and students engage in groundbreaking research projects. Caltech's commitment to research excellence has led to numerous scientific breakthroughs and has positioned the institute as a global leader in various scientific and technological advancements.

Overall, the California Institute of Technology stands as a prestigious institution dedicated to nurturing the brightest minds and driving significant advancements across scientific fields. With its exceptional faculty, rigorous academic programs, and a commitment to research excellence, Caltech provides students with a transformative educational experience and equips them with the skills and knowledge to make enduring contributions to society.

Located in Pasadena, CA, California Institute of Technology is a private university. This school uses a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 2%. The freshman retention rate at California Institute of Technology is 97.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 94%.

The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 3. For transfer students, the application deadline is February 15.

Learn more about what California Institute of Technology has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.

Quick Facts

987

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

$65,622

Tuition

3:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

94%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

If you discover as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Read on to learn some important data about admission policy and requirements at California Institute of Technology.

According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 356 in 2025. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an outstanding educational experience.

Deadlines

The deadline for submitting applications to this school is January 3. If you plan on applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is February 15.

Retention Rate

The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.

As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for California Institute of Technology was 97.4%, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.

Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 94%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.

Student Body

It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.

Main Student Body

The overall number of students enrolled at California Institute of Technology in 2025 was 2,430.

That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 64. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 987, 139 of which were international students. 10 students enrolled as transfer students.

Student Population Gender Ratio

With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,459 male and 971 female full-time students in 2025.

Student Population Diversity

Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.

This school had 354 Asian students and 46 Afro-American students in 2025. 172 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 88 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 1 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some important information on California Institute of Technology costs that most students encounter at this school.

Tuition and Fees

Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.

As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $65,622 in 2025. Since California Institute of Technology is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,586.

Books and Supplies

When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to allocate about $1,428 for books and supplies during their time at California Institute of Technology.

Boarding

Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?

In 2025, room and board cost at California Institute of Technology amounted to $20,991 a year. If you only needed a room on the campus, you had to pay $12,105 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $15,219.

Tuition $ 65,622
Room and Board $ 20,991
Book and Supplies $ 1,428
Total Expense $ 88,041

Financial Aid

Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for many students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at California Institute of Technology.

The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 106 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $73,011.

Need-based

Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.

501 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at California Institute of Technology is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 501. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $1,830,995, and state $368,258. The students of California Institute of Technology received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $33,040,444, and external in the amount of $684,915.

Non-Need Based

Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.

The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $625,980 USD.

Faculty

3:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.

In 2025, this ratio at California Institute of Technology was 3:1. That means that there were 3 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 359 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 262 men and 97 women.

Student Population Diversity Graph

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100
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100

Campus Life

Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some info about campus life at California Institute of Technology.

Its campus spans 124 acres.

Student Organizations

Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.

The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 140. The student organization that is most favored by students is Entrepreneurship Club, followed by Dance Clubs and Alpine Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Theatre and Performing Arts and Instrument Music Groups.

There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? California Institute of Technology publishes its own newspaper.

Student Services

At California Institute of Technology, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.

There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.

This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at California Institute of Technology is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.

Career Services

Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at California Institute of Technology.

Career Counselling

At California Institute of Technology, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.

FAQ

California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA.

California Institute of Technology offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.

According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 65,622 USD per academic year for California Institute of Technology.

This school uses standardized test scores for admission.

According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for California Institute of Technology is 2%.

The most recent reported freshman retention rate for California Institute of Technology is 97.4%.

Contact Information

California Institute of Technology

1200 E. California Blvd.

Pasadena , CA

91125-0001

626 395-6811

School Website

Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.

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