Tiny but mighty, Caltech concentrates extraordinary talent on the physical sciences and engineering. It manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and boasts an exceptional per-capita Nobel count.
More selective than ~97% and ranked better than ~95% of the 172 schools in our directory.
Student Pop.
2,400
Faculty Ratio
3:1
Avg. Class Size
8
Financial Aid
55%
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Request Info sendCompare SchoolsCalifornia Institute of Technology admits approximately 3% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.
Tuition is approximately 60,864 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.
Yes — California Institute of Technology offers Need-based Aid, and about 55% of students receive some form of financial aid.
The application deadline is Jan 03. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.
California Institute of Technology offers 3 broad fields of study: Natural Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science.
The average class size is 8 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 3:1, across a small campus of about 2,400 students.
🇺🇸 Pasadena, CA, United States · USA
#10
Global Ranking
Detailed admissions profile compiled by UniPath on June 24, 2026. Figures are directory estimates intended for planning purposes — always confirm exact requirements and costs with the official admissions office at https://www.caltech.edu.
| Established | 1891 |
| Student Population | 2,400 |
| Faculty Ratio | 3:1 |
| Average Class Size | 8 |
| Acceptance Rate | 3% |
| Annual Tuition | $60,864 |
| Financial Aid Recipients | 55% |
| Application Deadline | Jan 03 |
| Website | https://www.caltech.edu |
Tiny but mighty, Caltech concentrates extraordinary talent on the physical sciences and engineering. It manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and boasts an exceptional per-capita Nobel count.
Tags: Private · Research · STEM
With only 3% of applicants admitted, every part of the application needs to be deliberate — academics, essays, and activities all carry weight.
This school is more selective than approximately 97% of schools in our directory, ranks better than 95% of them, and is more affordable than 9% (out of 172 schools compared).
Typical requirements:
Test-optional, but admitted students who submit scores typically land in the 90th percentile or above.
| Tuition | $60,864 |
| Housing & Living | $21,302 |
| Books & Supplies | $2,435 |
| Personal Expenses | $4,869 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $89,470 |
| Est. Average Grant / Aid | - $20,085 |
| Est. Net Price | $40,779 |
| 4-Year Total (before aid) | $357,880 |
Estimates for international students; actual aid varies by applicant profile.
Natural Sciences — $58,000 avg. starting salary
Common careers: Research Scientist, Lab Manager, Biotech Specialist, Environmental Consultant
Engineering — $72,000 avg. starting salary
Common careers: Design Engineer, Project Manager, R&D Specialist, Systems Engineer
Computer Science — $95,000 avg. starting salary
Common careers: Software Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Security Analyst, Data Scientist
An intimate, intense STEM community known for elaborate pranks and an honor code.
| School | Rank | Tuition | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California, Berkeley | #11 | $44,115 | 11% |
| University of Pennsylvania | #15 | $63,000 | 6% |
| Stanford University | #5 | $58,416 | 3.9% |
What is the acceptance rate at California Institute of Technology?
California Institute of Technology admits approximately 3% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.
How much does California Institute of Technology cost per year?
Tuition is approximately 60,864 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.
Does California Institute of Technology offer scholarships or financial aid?
Yes — California Institute of Technology offers Need-based Aid, and about 55% of students receive some form of financial aid.
When is the application deadline for California Institute of Technology?
The application deadline is Jan 03. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.
What can I study at California Institute of Technology?
California Institute of Technology offers 3 broad fields of study: Natural Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science.
How big are classes at California Institute of Technology?
The average class size is 8 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 3:1, across a small campus of about 2,400 students.