The California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, is a private research university in Pasadena, California. It was established on September 23, 1891, and initially named Throop University before rebranding as Caltech in 1920. Caltech identifies its mascot as Bernoulli the Beaver and embraces orange and white as its official colors. Guided by President Thomas F. Rosenbaum, Caltech maintains an academic staff of 300 highly accomplished professorial faculty members. It holds affiliations with esteemed academic organizations like the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Universities Research Association (URA), further enhancing its prestige.
Tuition Fee & Cost of Living at California Institute of Technology
In this section, we’ll break down Caltech’s tuition fees and cost of living expenses, providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your future.
The following table gives the cost associated with an undergraduate degree at Caltech.
Category | On-Campus ($/Yearly) | Off-Campus ($/Yearly) |
Tuition* | 60,816 | 60,816 |
The following table shows the tuition fees cost associated with a graduate degree at Caltech:
Term | Annual($) | Fall($) | Winter($) | Spring($) |
Tuition* | 60,816 | 20,272 | 20,272 | 20,272 |
Mandatory Fees | 2,247 | 749 | 749 | 749 |
Total | 63,063 | 21,021 | 21,021 | 21,021 |
Source: https://gradoffice.caltech.edu/financialsupport/budget
This section will explore the various programs and areas of study available to Caltech undergraduates and graduate students.
Source: https://gradoffice.caltech.edu/financialsupport/budget
* Tuition Fees are subject to change — might vary each year/intake
In this section, we'll take a closer look at the top majors students choose at Caltech University so you can get a sense of what this prestigious institution offers.
In the following list, we will provide an insightful overview of some of the fascinating research opportunities available at Caltech.
In this section, we will look closer at Caltech Campus- its vibrant student life, athletics, and club amusements that await those who choose to call this exceptional institution home.
Caltech Athletes excel in various sports, showcasing achievements in basketball and baseball and demonstrating endurance in cross country and track. They also display precision performances in swimming and diving. As part of their annual Student-Athlete Celebration, Caltech Athletics maintains a tradition of recognizing and honoring outstanding individual and team athletic accomplishments alongside academic excellence. The athletic team is called the Beavers.
The Intellectual Ventures-Caltech Invention Competition is a prominent event that aims to recognize and inspire budding innovators and inventors. It offers a first prize of $25,000, along with various runner-up prizes. Furthermore, Caltech organizes various events through its Campus Life & Events program. These include captivating performances in the performing and visual arts, thought-provoking lectures, inspiring film screenings, and engaging literary conversations.
Caltech offers diverse opportunities for students through its 100+ official student-led clubs and organizations. From Alpine Skiing to Quizbowl, from cultural identity groups to robotics enthusiasts, there is something to cater to everyone's interests. Even if no existing clubs align with their passions, students can establish their clubs.
In this section, you will learn about the specific date and time associated with undergraduate and graduate studies by which you must submit your application and any important details or requirements you should keep in mind.
Action | Deadline | Notification |
Early Action deadline | November 1, 2022 | Mid-December, 2022 |
Regular Decision deadline | January 3, 2023 | Mid-March, 2023 |
Application Dates | November 15 to January 1 | April |
Source: https://www.careerlauncher.com/study-abroad/universities/duke-university/
In this section, we will walk you through the application timeline at Caltech, ensuring you're well-prepared and informed at every step. To apply to Caltech, follow these steps:

Caltech University offers both early and regular application timelines for undergraduate students. Early Action applicants have a higher acceptance rate, while Regular Deadline applicants may face more competition.
Visit the Caltech University website and gather all the information about the academic qualifications, English language proficiency, and other prerequisites.

Take the required exams such as IELTS/TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, or SAT, plan your test dates at least six months in advance of the application deadline.
Start preparing your Statement of Purpose (SOP) or essays, Letters of Recommendation (LORs), and your resume at least 2-3 months ahead.

Submit your application and pay the required fees before the application deadline.
In this section, we’ll break down the necessary qualifications to help you determine if Caltech is the right fit for you.
|
Test |
Minimum Score |
|
IELTS |
7 |
|
TOEFL |
100 |
|
Duolingo English Test |
130 |
source: https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/international-applicants
In this section, we will explore the notable rankings and accolades that Caltech has received over the years.
|
Year |
QS Ranking |
Times Higher Education |
US News |
|
2023 |
6 |
6 |
- |
|
2022 |
6 |
2 |
#9 in National Universities |
|
2021 |
4 |
4 |
- |
|
2020 |
5 |
2 |
- |
2023 UNIVERSITY RANKING
2023 UNIVERSITY RANKING
2022 UNIVERSITY RANKING
Caltech has produced many accomplished alumni, and in this section, we will take a closer look at the salaries that Caltech alumni earn.
|
|
|
|
Name |
Average Annual Salary ($) |
|
Executive Management & Change |
210,000 |
|
Financial Services |
135,000 |
|
R&D, Pharmaceuticals & Biotech |
128,000 |
|
Engineering |
125,000 |
|
IT & Software Development |
120,000 |
|
Consulting, Accounting & Professional Services |
117,000 |
|
|
|
|
PhD |
154,000 |
|
Doctorate |
138,000 |
|
Masters In Science |
125,000 |
This section will provide all the necessary information regarding the scholarship opportunities available at Caltech.
Caltech provides various high-quality housing options to suit your needs, including undergraduate and graduate housing and off-campus apartments and houses. The following table gives some of the key ones:
|
Type of Housing |
2022-23($/bed) |
2023-24($/bed) |
|
Four-bedroom Quad - Furnished |
680 |
715 |
|
Two-bedroom Double - Furnished |
810 |
850 |
|
One-bedroom Single - Furnished |
1,370 |
1,440 |
Off-Campus Accommodations (S Catalina Ave and S Wilson Ave)
|
Type of Housing |
2022-23($/apt.) |
2023-24($/apt.) |
|
Studio Apt. Single - Furnished |
1,035 |
1,085 |
|
One-bedroom Apt. - Unfurnished |
1,135 |
1,190 |
|
Two-bedroom Apt. - Unfurnished |
1,525 |
1,600 |
The California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California. Its primary campus spans 124 acres and is approximately 11 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Starting in January 2020, the California Institute of Technology admissions website announced a significant change. SAT Subject Test scores are no longer required for applicants. Instead, the Admissions Committee evaluates a student's academic preparedness for Caltech.
The California Institute of Technology is not associated with the Ivy League. The Ivy League denotes a sporting conference comprising eight private universities in the northeastern United States. Conversely, Caltech is an esteemed private institution emphasizing science and technology education in California.