California Institute of Technology (Caltech) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About California Institute of Technology
Tucked near the San Gabriel Mountains, Caltech is known for intense curiosity and patient, exacting work. Students dive deep into physics, engineering, computing, chemistry, biology, and Earth and planetary sciences, with close-knit teaching and research woven into daily life. The culture prizes collaboration, a dry sense of humor, and a trust-based honor ethos. And the residential House system and the famed Ditch Day puzzle tradition give the place its own quirky rhythm.
Campus resources skew serious: advanced labs and observatories, makerspaces and machine shops, a library built for long stretches, tutoring, advising, health and counseling, plus a career center that links students to research groups, startups, and established firms. Clubs span music, robotics, and intramurals, with plenty of late-night builds. Pasadena's tree-lined streets, Old Pasadena's cafes and galleries, nearby trails, and the wider Los Angeles creative tech scene offer internships, fieldwork, and weekend breathing room. Notable alumni include Gordon Moore, Kip Thorne, and Carver Mead.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) offers 30 degree programs across 8 major academic fields, graduating approximately 591 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Engineering (10 programs, 245 graduates), Physical Sciences (7 programs, 159 graduates), Computer & IT (2 programs, 96 graduates), Biological Sciences (6 programs, 38 graduates) and Mathematics (2 programs, 26 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Engineering (10 programs, 245 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1901 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 48 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1001 |
| Engineering Physics | 41 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1201 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0501 |
| Chemical Engineering | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0701 |
| Materials Engineering | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1801 |
| Aerospace Engineering | 19 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0201 |
| Environmental Health Engineering | 6 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1401 |
| Systems Engineering | 6 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.2701 |
| Civil Engineering | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0801 |
Physical Sciences (7 programs, 159 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 58 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0801 |
| Chemistry | 50 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0501 |
| Astrophysics | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0202 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0601 |
| Geochemistry | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0602 |
| Geophysics and Seismology | 8 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0603 |
| Planetary Astronomy | 4 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0203 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 96 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 94 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
| Information Science | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0401 |
Biological Sciences (6 programs, 38 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 7 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0210 |
| Neuroscience | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.1501 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 4 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1599 |
| Microbiology | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0502 |
| Genetics | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0801 |
Mathematics (2 programs, 26 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27.0101 |
| Computational Mathematics | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
27.0303 |
Social Sciences (1 programs, 20 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 20 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0603 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 5 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Computer Science | 5 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
30.0801 |
Business (1 programs, 2 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Economics | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0601 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
How much does it cost to attend California Institute of Technology (Caltech)?
The annual tuition at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is $63,255 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $86,886 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $19,503 (on) / $19,431 (off) and books and supplies $1,428.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does California Institute of Technology offer?
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) offers 30 academic programs across 8 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research).
Most popular program areas include:
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (10 programs)
- Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research (7 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (2 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (6 programs)
- Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for California Institute of Technology?
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has an 3.1% acceptance rate and a 64.6% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 13,107
- Students admitted: 412
- Students enrolled: 266
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at California Institute of Technology?
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) provides financial aid to 23% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $60,201 and average loans of $10,614.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,774
- State/Local grants: $8,073
- Institutional grants: $56,342
- Federal loans: $5,378
The university supports 124 students with grants and 37 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for California Institute of Technology graduates?
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) graduates earn a median salary of $132,140 after 6 years and $128,566 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $78,105 (25th percentile) to $225,460 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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