Pasadena, CA
California Institute of Technology is a private nonprofit university with an undergraduate enrollment of 987 students and a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The acceptance rate is 2.6%, with a 6-year graduation rate of 93.8%. The cost of attendance is $90,822, and the median earnings 6 years after enrollment are $132,140.
Caltech is an extremely selective private nonprofit university with a 2.6% acceptance rate and an undergraduate enrollment of 987 students. The institution maintains a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio and reports a 93.8% six-year graduation rate.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 8,973 | 230 | 2.6% | 154 |
| Women | 4,134 | 182 | 4.4% | 112 |
California Institute of Technology admits 2.6% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Caltech's cost of attendance is $90,822 annually. With an endowment of $4.2 billion and 18% Pell grant recipients, the institution demonstrates significant financial resources to support student affordability.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
After aid, California Institute of Technology costs $16,075 a year — about 29% less than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Caltech graduates earn a median of $132,140 six years after enrollment and $128,566 ten years after enrollment. The institution maintains a 93.8% six-year graduation rate.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | 94 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 38 |
| Physics, General | 22 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 13 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | 10 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10 |
| Computational Mathematics | 10 |
| Mathematics, General | 8 |
| Chemistry, General | 7 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 6 |
Median earnings eight years after entering California Institute of Technology are $142,597, and 81% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former California Institute of Technology students earn $132,140 — 191% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Caltech is a private nonprofit university with 987 undergraduates and a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio. As an NCAA Division III school without football, it emphasizes academics alongside athletics in a highly selective environment.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
Graduate and professional students outnumber undergraduates here, which shapes class sizes, housing and campus life in ways an undergraduate figure alone doesn't show.
263 of 1,023 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 1,023 undergraduates study entirely at a distance.
California Institute of Technology is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
California Institute of Technology spends $61,829 per student on research — about 10× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
California Institute of Technology is in Pasadena, CA, in what IPEDS classifies as a midsize city setting. The campus sits about 1.7 miles from the center of Pasadena. There are 46 other colleges within 25 miles, and Los Angeles, CA is 18.2 miles away.
Los Angeles County scores 13.5 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 5.4% of Pasadena's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures California Institute of Technology reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, California Institute of Technology reported 1 arrests and 67 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about California Institute of Technology admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Caltech has an acceptance rate of 2.6%, making it one of the most selective institutions in the United States. This extremely competitive rate reflects the institution's rigorous admissions standards and the high caliber of applicants it receives.
The cost of attendance at Caltech is $90,822 per year. This comprehensive figure includes tuition, fees, room, board, and other expenses for undergraduate students.
Yes, 18% of Caltech's undergraduate students receive Pell Grants, indicating the institute provides significant financial aid to low-income students. Caltech's substantial $4.2 billion endowment supports robust aid programs.
Caltech has a 6-year graduation rate of 93.8%. Notably, Pell Grant recipients graduate at 96.3%, while non-Pell students graduate at 100%, demonstrating the institution's commitment to supporting all students to completion.
Caltech graduates earn a median of $132,140 six years after enrollment and $128,566 ten years after enrollment. These figures reflect the high earning potential of Caltech's rigorous science and engineering education.
Caltech maintains an exceptional 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring close mentoring and personalized education. This low ratio is characteristic of elite research institutions and facilitates meaningful faculty-student interactions.
Caltech has an undergraduate enrollment of 987 students, making it a small, tight-knit community. This intimate size fosters collaboration and allows for personalized academic experiences.
Women comprise 45.2% of Caltech's student body. The institute has made significant progress in gender diversity within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
Caltech competes as an NCAA Division III institution without football. The institute offers numerous other athletic programs and emphasizes student wellness and community through sports and recreation.
Caltech combines an exceptional 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio, highly selective admissions (2.6% acceptance rate), and strong outcomes with a small undergraduate community of 987 students. Its $4.2 billion endowment supports research and education in STEM fields.