ACCEPTANCE RATE
3.1%
More selective than 99% of listed universities.
SelectiveAccessible
Private University
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology, located in Los Angeles, is a leading private nonprofit institution known for its rigorous academic programs and groundbreaking research.
3.1%ACCEPTANCE
$23,397AVG NET PRICE
93%GRAD RATE
2,463STUDENTS
University data profileIPEDS 2023
Los Angeles, CAcity 124 acres
THE SIGNATURE
California Institute of Technology Report Card
Explore university facts, programs, and campus life at a glance.
Founded in 1891, the California Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as Caltech, is a prestigious private nonprofit university that offers a four-year curriculum. With a total enrollment of approximately 2,463 students, Caltech is recognized for its focus on science and engineering, emphasizing hands-on research and innovation.
Situated in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, students at Caltech benefit from a dynamic metropolitan environment while engaging in an academically rigorous atmosphere. The university fosters a strong sense of community, encouraging collaboration among peers and faculty. In addition to its rigorous academic programs, Caltech also offers students various extracurricular activities, including internship opportunities at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, giving them a chance to contribute to real-world scientific advancements.
AT A GLANCE
TypePrivateFour or more years
Founded1891
Settingcity 124 acres
Calendarquarter
GETTING IN
Admissions
Caltech is known for its highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of just 3.1 percent. In 2023, the university received applications from 13,107 prospective students, making the admissions landscape competitive and challenging.
Source: IPEDS 2023
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Jan 3regular
Early Action Nov 1
Undergraduate application fee $75.
WHAT IT COSTS
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker price tells you little — net price after aid is what most families actually pay.
Source: IPEDS 2023
IN-STATE TUITION & FEES
$63,255/yr
Out-of-state: $63,255/yr.
Net price by income band
$1,667$0–$30,000
$1,023$30,001–$48,000
$7,003$48,001–$75,000
$22,073$75,001–$110,000
$56,275$110,001+
AVERAGE NET PRICE AFTER AID
$23,397/yr
▼ 22% since 2020-2161% receive grants or scholarships
Average grant or scholarship aid $52,266.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Academics
Caltech offers a robust academic environment with 29 undergraduate majors and is especially noted for its strengths in science and engineering disciplines. The university's commitment to innovative research and interdisciplinary collaboration supports its faculty and students in contributing to advancements in various fields.
Source: IPEDS 2023
Student–faculty ratio
3:1
70.6% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
6-year graduation rate
93%
▼ 1 pts since 2016
First-year retention
98%
Median across 34 institutions in our national dataset: 89%.
Bachelor-level fields offered
29
Bachelor-level fields reported as offered in IPEDS
MOST POPULAR FIELDS OF STUDY
Share of bachelor's degree completions, not of all enrolled students.
Computer Science.28.8%
Mechanical Engineering.15.5%
Physics, General.11.2%
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.7.7%
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.6.9%
Computational Mathematics.6%
CAMPUS LIFE
Campus & Housing
Reported capacity of institution-controlled housing and campus setting. Capacity does not indicate how many students currently live in university housing.
University-controlled housing capacity
1,575
Includes institution-controlled housing; it may extend beyond campus.
Setting
city 124 acres
AFTER GRADUATION
Student outcomes
Earnings and employment of former students after entering the university.
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Median earnings · 10 yrs after entry
$128,566
Median earnings of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.
Working after 10 yrs
81.7%
Share of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.
Earning more than a high-school graduate
94%
94% of former students earn above the Scorecard high-school earnings threshold, ten years after entry.
Neighborhoods near Caltech
Where students live around California Institute of Technology — vibe, walkability, and commute at a glance.
Loading map...
Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics, and College Scorecard. University Apartments is not affiliated with California Institute of Technology.