Your chances of getting into California Institute of Technology
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Caltech is 3.1%. Its admission rate is the lowest in California and the lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Caltech and can you get accepted?
Caltech is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 412 out of the 13,107 who applied were admitted.
California Institute of Technology typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.97. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those applicants who were admitted, 65% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.
Can you get into Caltech?
3% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to California Institute of Technology you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.97 or better
- Earn A- grades in high school
- Score 1560 on the SAT
- Score 35 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
Caltech GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into California Institute of Technology?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into Caltech are to have around a 3.97 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.
Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Caltech extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.97 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.97 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at Caltech is 3.97 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #4 in California for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since Caltech is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.
*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.97 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.
Caltech SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by California Institute of Technology. The school has a test blind policy.
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 740 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 790 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1530 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 780 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 800 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1580 |
| Average SAT Score | 1560
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to California Institute of Technology?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at Caltech is 1560 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1530-1580. Students who get into California Institute of Technology score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers.. Caltech ranks #1 in the state of California and #1 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1560 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Caltech regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1530 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1530, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1500, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
California Institute of Technology is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1560 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1555, you have around a 3% chance of being admitted. A 1580 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 6% chance of getting in.
Caltech ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 35 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 35 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 35 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 36 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 36 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 36 |
| Average ACT Score | 35
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Caltech?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to Caltech is 35, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 35 and 36. The school ranks #1 in California and #1 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 35. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 35 and score in the score in the top 1 percent nationally.
0 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California Institute of Technology.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as California Institute of Technology is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into Caltech for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 35 score has around 3% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 10% with a 36 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
90% of California Institute of Technology freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 90% |
| Top 25% of class | 100% |
| Top 50% of class | 0% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 4,134 | 8,973 | 13,107 |
| Accepted | 182 | 230 | 412 |
| Acceptance Rate | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Enrolled | 112 | 154 | 266 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 62% | 67% | 65% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 3, 2025.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to California Institute of Technology is $75.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to California Institute of Technology and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) |
| High School GPA | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| High School Class Rank | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Recommendations | Required to be considered for admission |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | No |
| Dual Credit | No |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because Caltech is extremely competitive, you have a very low likelihood of acceptance. It is critical that you earn at least a 3.97 GPA to have any chance. Additionally, you need to score at least a 1560 on the SAT and optimally 1580 to put yourself in a competitive position. For ACT scores, you should really strive for a 35 to have the best chance of getting in.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to California Institute of Technology often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110404 IPEDS survey data for California Institute of Technology.
Last updated February 24, 2025