California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA · Midsize city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 2.6%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 13,107
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 412
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 266
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 65%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 4.4%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 2.6%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- —
- SAT math, middle 50%
- —
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- —
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- — / —
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- not considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $86,886
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $65,898
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $65,898
- Median debt at graduation
- —
- Students with federal loans
- 4.3%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 94%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 97%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $102,669
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $128,566
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 987
- Graduate students
- 1,443
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 3 : 1
- Women
- 45%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 18%
- Full-time faculty
- 91%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Thomas F. Rosenbaum
- Main phone
- (626) 395-6811
- Address
- 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Early Action | November 1 | mid-December |
| Regular Decision | January 4 | mid-March |
- Apply with
- Common App, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- $85 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Required
- Essays
- Caltech supplemental essays on the Common App
Testing: SAT or ACT required; testing deadline Nov 30 (REA) or Dec 31 (RD)
Financial aid policies
- Need-blind for U.S. applicants
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: None; aid is need-based
- No-loan packages for family income under $100,000; tuition covered under $200,000
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 263 / 211 / 1
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: admissions.caltech.edu, admissions.caltech.edu, admissions.caltech.edu, finaid.caltech.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.