California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
California Institute of Technology is a well-renowned research institute for Science and Engineering, also known as CalTech. The university houses 18% international students. CalTech has an acceptance rate of only 3%, making it one of the most difficult universities to get into. The majority of accepted applicants displayed a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (90%) and are among the top 10% of their class.
In Fall 2023-24, Caltech enrolled 1,023 undergraduate students and 1,440 graduate students. About 126 international students make up 12% of the undergraduate population. The university encourages students to believe in themselves to thrive in a small undergraduate community of fewer than 1,000 students.
Established | 1891 |
Founder | Amos G. Throop |
University Type | Private Research University |
University Motto | “The truth shall make you free”[ |
Acceptance Rate | 3% |
Faculty to Student Ratio | 3:1 |
Endowment | $3.5 billion (2022) |
Campus Size | 124 Acres |
Graduation Rate | 93% |
Undergraduate Employment Rate | 93% |
Contact Details | (626) 395-6811 |
Location |
Caltech Ranking
California Institute Of Technology (Caltech) ranks 10 in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. Following are some other Caltech rankings:
|
Ranking Type |
Rank |
|
QS World University Rankings (2025) |
#10 |
|
THE World University Rankings (2024) |
#7 |
|
U.S. News and World Report Best National Universities |
#7 |
How to get Admission in the California Institute of Technology?
California Institute of Technology Top Programs and Fees
Following are some of the top programs as Caltech, along with their annual tuition fees for international students:| Programs | Total Annual Fees (USD) | Total Annual Fees (INR) |
| Master of Science Civil Engineering | 63,402 | 52.89 Lakh |
| Master of Science Mechanical Engineering | 63,402 | 52.89 Lakh |
| Master of Science Medical Engineering | 63,402 | 52.89 Lakh |
| Master of Science Bioengineering | 63,402 | 52.89 Lakh |
| Master of Science Computer Science | 63,402 | 52.89 Lakh |
| Master of Science Biology | 63,402 | 52.89 Lakh |
| Master of Science Mathematics | 63,402 | 52.89 Lakh |
| Master of Science Physics | 63,402 | 52.89 Lakh |
Caltech Admissions Requirements for PG
International students seeking postgraduate admission at the California Institute of Technology will have to fulfill the following admission requirements set by the university:| Category | PG Admission Requirements |
| Application Fee | 100 USD (8,320 INR) |
| Academic Requirements | Undergraduate degree from a registered institute | Top 5 to 10% of students their class |
| GPA | No bar | Minimum scores of accepted candidates: 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (90%) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS: 7 | TOEFL iBT: 100 | Duolingo: 130 |
| Standardized Test Scores | GRE/GMAT score (Avg. GRE: 330 | GMAT: 500) |
| SOP/LOR | 3 Letters of recommendation | Statement of purpose |
| Additional Requirements | CV | Work experience |
Caltech Admissions Requirements for UG
International students seeking undergraduate admission at California Institute of Technology will have to fulfill the following admission requirements set by the university:| Category | UG Admission Requirements |
| Application Fee | 75 USD (6,245 INR) |
| Academic Requirements | Higher secondary certificate |
| GPA | No minimum GPA (Minimum scores of accepted candidates: 3.5 out of 4.0 or 90%) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS: 7 | TOEFL iBT: 100 | Duolingo: 130 |
| Additional Requirements | CV | Personal statement |
California Institute of Technology Campus
The California Institute of Technology has a small campus spread over 124 acres in the heart of Pasadena at the foot of the prestigious San Gabriel Mountains. Caltech’s faculty and former students have won many awards, including 46 Nobel Prizes. The school runs the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA, which sends probes to explore other planets and studies changes on Earth.
The university has its own Center for Autonomous Systems and Technology, Bioengineering center, Observatory and many other on-campus research facilities.
California Institute of Technology Student Life
- The university has more than 50 student clubs, sports teams, and 16 Division III varsity teams.
- It guarantees housing for all first-year graduate students studying in the USA. Freshmen and second-year undergraduate students are also provided with campus housing.
- As a Caltech student, you’ll take a course load of 45–51 credits per 10-week term.
California Institute of Technology Accommodation
All undergraduate residences have a base rate of $3,749.00 per person, per term. On the other hand graduate student residents are billed monthly to their student Bursar’s account for rent and any additional fees.
Catalina Apartments Monthly Rates
The following table shows the apartment rates for students admitted into the graduate programs of California Institute of Technology:
Type of Housing | 2024-25 |
Four-bedroom Quad – Furnished | $750 per bed |
Two-bedroom Double – Furnished | $895 per bed |
One-bedroom Single – Furnished | $1,510 per bed |
Off-Campus Housing Monthly Rates
The number of off-campus housing bed spaces isn’t fixed and can vary each year based on the Institute’s needs. All off-campus housing is owned by Caltech and is within walking distance of the campus.
The designated off-campus housing includes:
- Eight furnished studio apartments at 250 & 252 S Catalina Ave
- 19 unfurnished one-bedroom apartments at 180 & 188 S Catalina Ave
- 10 unfurnished two-bedroom apartments at 229 S Wilson Ave
Type of Housing | 2024-25 |
Studio Apt. Single – Furnished | $1,140 per apt. |
One-bedroom Apt. – Unfurnished | $1,250 per apt. |
Two-bedroom Apt. – Unfurnished | $1,680 per apt. |
California Institute of Technology Scholarships
Caltech Scholarships Specific Requirements for Undergraduate Courses:
Following are some scholarships available for students applying for undergraduate courses at California Institute of Technology (Caltech):| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Requirements | Award |
| AES Engineering | Submit an essay of not less than 500-1000 words based on the prompts | Grants up to $500 (INR 41,583) |
| American Chemical Society (ACS) | Must pursue courses in chemistry. | Grants up to $5,000 (INR 4,15,550) |
| Asian Pacific Community Fund (State Bank of India) | Minimum GPA of 2.8 | Grants up to $10,000 (INR 8,31,670) |
Caltech Scholarships Specific Requirements for Graduate Courses:
Following are some scholarships available for students applying for graduate courses at California Institute of Technology (Caltech):| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Requirements | Award |
| BMO Financial Group/Lime Connect | Must pursue a postgraduate degree in mathematics or physics | Grants up to $1,000 (INR 83,179) |
| American Council of Engineering Companies | Must pursue a postgraduate degree in engineering Three years of work experience | Grants up to $1,000 (INR 83,179) to $7,500 (INR 6,23,677) |
| Novus Biologicals | Must pursue a postgraduate degree in science (life sciences, medical sciences, or health sciences). | Grants up to $1,500 (INR 1,24,735) |
California Institute of Technology Notable Alumni
California Institute of Technology alumni network has over 25,500 active living members. To date, 46 Caltech alumni, faculty, and postdocs have won a total of 47 Nobel Prizes, as presented in this timeline. Following are some of the notable alumni of Caltech:
|
Alumni |
Designation |
Achievements |
|
Kip Thorne |
American theoretical physicist |
Known for his contributions in gravitational physics and astrophysics |
|
Linus Pauling |
American chemist and biochemist |
Published more than 1,200 papers and books |
|
Gordon Moore |
American businessman and engineer |
Proposed Moore’s law |
|
Benoit Mandelbrot |
American-French-Polish mathematician and polymath |
Wolf Prize for Physics in 1993, the Japan Prize in 2003, the Einstein Lectureship of the American Mathematical Society in 2006 among others. |
|
Donald Knuth |
American computer scientist and mathematician |
1974 recipient of the ACM Turing Award, informally considered the Nobel Prize of computer science |
Location of California Institute of Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get into Caltech from India?
International students are welcome to apply at Caltech, but they are required to submit all the necessary materials, including scores for either the TOEFL or IELTS exams. The minimum scores required for admission are 100 for the TOEFL and 7 for IELTS.
Is Caltech a top 10 school?
California Institute Of Technology (Caltech) ranks 10 in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Does Caltech give 100% scholarships to international students?
Apart from considering financial need for international students, the application and review process is the same for everyone. Caltech provides need-based financial aid that covers 100% of the students’ demonstrated financial need.
Is Caltech Ivy league?
Universities like Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and CalTech are not technically Ivy League Universities but observe the same prestigious status, education quality, and higher acceptance standards.
How much does a Caltech MBA cost?
The tuition fees for MBA at Caltech is $63,063.00 per academic year, payable at the beginning of each term.
Does Caltech accept IELTS?
Caltech accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS, or the TOEFL. The English proficiency exam must be taken prior to the application deadline.
