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California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

#10 QS World Ranking#2 THE RankingUnited StatesPrivate nonprofit
  • QS ranking#10
  • Acceptance rate3–4%
  • Typical GPA4.0 GPA near-requirement
  • Tuition / year$63,255

Overview

About California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Highest Nobel laureate density globally; 6:1 student-faculty ratio; 8-week honor code collaborative culture; JPL partnership

  • International environmentSmall & highly international; ~25% intl UG; tight-knit community of ~950 UG
  • Teaching styleDeeply research-intensive; problem-set heavy; collaborative honor code system

Academics

Subjects and fit

Strongest subjects

  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • CS
  • Astronomy
  • Chemistry
  • Engineering
  • Biology

Best for

  • Pure STEM devotees
  • future physicists/engineers/researchers

Getting in

Admission requirements

  • GPA: 4.0 GPA near-requirement; exceptional STEM aptitude
  • TOEFL 100+ / IELTS 7.0+
  • SAT/ACT required; high scores expected; math/science achievement central
  • Difficulty: Extremely Competitive
  • Acceptance rate: 3–4%
  • Deadline: UG: Jan 3 (ED: Nov 1) | PhD: Dec 1

On campus

Campus and location

100% housing guarantee all 4 years; Houses are central to culture; Pasadena is pleasant

Money

Costs and scholarships

  • Tuition (USD)63,255 (UG)
  • Living cost (USD)18,000–22,000
  • ScholarshipsNeed-blind US; meets 100% need; no international need-blind

  • Need-Based Financial Aid at California Institute of Technology 2026 (Fully Funded)

    need

    Sinh viên quốc tế bậc Cử nhân, mọi quốc tịch.

    United States3 Jan 2026
    Official link

  • Financial Aid Package at California Institute of Technology 2026 (Full Tuition)

    need

    Sinh viên quốc tế bậc Tiến sĩ, mọi quốc tịch.

    United StatesThe great news is that there is no specific deadline to apply for Financial Aid Package! While there is no fixed deadline to apply, you do need to apply for Ph.D. admissions at California Institute of Technology . Ph.D. admissions timelines can differ by department or project—please check your department’s page for specifics.
    Official link

  • Graduate Assistantships at California Institute of Technology 2026 (Full Tuition)

    other

    Sinh viên quốc tế bậc Thạc sĩ và Tiến sĩ, mọi quốc tịch.

    United States15 Dec 2025
See all scholarships

After graduation

Careers and outcomes

  • Industry connectionsJPL (NASA), SpaceX, NVIDIA, tech companies; quant firms; academia
  • InternshipsSURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships); JPL internships
  • EmployabilityExtraordinary for STEM PhDs; research career pipeline unmatched

The honest view

Why students choose California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

  • Need-blind US; meets 100% need; no international need-blind
  • Employability: Extraordinary for STEM PhDs; research career pipeline unmatched

Worth knowing

Very small social scene; limited business/humanities programs; Pasadena suburb can feel restrictive

GlowBal's insider note

UNRESOLVED_SOURCE_CLAIM: Caltech has honor code meaning no proctored exams students self-administer. INSIGHT: Average research publication rate per faculty is highest in the world. Almost all graduates pursue graduate study.

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