United States · Private research university
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California · Founded 1891
QS World #10
THE #7
Official site
Acceptance rate
3.1%
Total students
2,401
International
~30% graduate, ~12% undergraduate
Annual tuition
USD 63,402 / year (2025-26)
The world's most concentrated environment for serious science: less than 2,500 students total, but a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio and access to JPL (NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab). If you want to do research from day one, Caltech is unmatched.
Admissions requirements
- Language
- TOEFL iBT 100+ or IELTS 7.0+
- Tests
- SAT/ACT required for first-year applicants 2025-26.
- Deadlines
-
- Restrictive Early Action: November 1
- Regular Decision: January 3
- Financial aid
- Need-based aid for internationals (limited pool). 46+ Nobel laureates affiliated.
Famous for
Physics
Aerospace
Astronomy
Chemistry
Computer Science
Notable alumni
- Gordon Moore (Intel)
- Frank Capra
- Linus Pauling (2× Nobel)
Cost estimate
$84,402 / year
Tuition $63,402 + living $21,000
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