Pasadena, CA Overview
Caltech, home to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), boasts a very low student-to-faculty ratio and some of the best STEM programs in the country. They have produced many Nobel Laureates and prominent scientists.
There are currently 982 undergraduates at Caltech and the school’s acceptance rate is 3%. The tuition at Caltech is $60,864.
University
City
Need Blind
SupplementalEssay
100% Need
QuestBridge
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
982
Pell Grant 14%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 55% / 45%
Ethnic Diversity at Caltech
35% Asian / Pacific Islander
22% Hispanic
21% White
9% International / Non-Citizen
9% Multiracial
3% Black
1% Unknown
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
3:1
Graduation Rate
94%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Computer & Information Sciences
38%
38% of graduates
Engineering
30%
30% of graduates
Physical Sciences
20%
20% of graduates
Mathematics
6%
6% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$83,598
$67,048
$16,550
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$83,598for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Caltech is $83,598. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Caltech would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at Caltech
If you reside in California and are considering Caltech, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
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California Institute of Technology Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at California Institute of Technology need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for California Institute of Technology is 001131.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
California Institute of Technology Questbridge Scholarships
Caltech is a member of Questbridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to California Institute of Technology through Questbridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about Questbridge, you can check out our Questbridge Scholarship guide.
California Institute of Technology’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Caltech has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial needs. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you cannot pay.
Pell Grants at California Institute of Technology
16% of students at California Institute of Technology receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to California Institute of Technology.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Caltech students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
California Institute of Technology Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Caltech or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.finaid.caltech.edu/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 626-395-6280
Admissions Snapshot
3%
Coalition Colleges
Caltech is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Caltech via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Caltech have a supplemental essay?
Yes, applicants to California Institute of Technology will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Caltech Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Caltech test-optional?
California Institute of Technology is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Caltech?
Students must apply by November 1 to enroll at Caltech during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Is California Institute of Technology need-blind?
Yes, California Institute of Technology has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$128,566
Median Debt $0
Debt 10 years after graduation $0
Graduation Rate 94%
What is the graduation rate at California Institute of Technology?
94% of students who start at California Institute of Technology end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 36% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of California Institute of Technology go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at California Institute of Technology, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $128,566. This is $78,175 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Caltech take out in loans?
Graduates of Caltech have to take out a median of $0 in federal student loans. This is $13,500 less than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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