Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Pasadena, California |
| Online | caltech.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) occupies a 124-acre campus in Pasadena, California, approximately 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The private research university, founded in 1891 as Throop University, features Spanish Mission-style architecture across its main campus, including the distinctive Beckman Auditorium. Caltech maintains highly selective undergraduate admissions and is recognized globally for its programs in science and engineering, particularly in physics, astronomy, and chemistry, with multiple affiliated Nobel laureates. The institution operates several major research facilities, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA, the Seismological Laboratory, and the International Observatory at Palomar. All undergraduate students are required to live on campus for their first two years, and most continue to reside in one of the eight student houses or residential communities throughout their academic career.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Caltech is rated within the top 2% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for California Institute of Technology within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#6 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#6 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Colleges in California
#2 in Best Private Colleges in California
#10 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1530/1580 |
| ACT | 35/36 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.97 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 3, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Extreme |
| Application Fee | $75 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,428 |
| Other Fees | $2,439 |
| Room and Board | $19,503 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,700 |
| Total One Year Cost | $86,886 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 41% |
| Physical Sciences | 25% |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 11% |
| Mathematics | 11% |
| Biology | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Caltech are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110404 IPEDS survey data for California Institute of Technology.
Current students may use the California Institute of Technology GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025