California Institute of Technology
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $106,300 within 10 years; exceptional 94% graduation rate.
About This School
California Institute of Technology is a private nonprofit institution located in Pasadena, California with approximately 987 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 3%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,075 per year. The graduation rate is 94%, and the typical graduate earns $106,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
The California Institute of Technology (branded as Caltech) is a private research university/institute of technology in Pasadena, California, United States. The university is responsible for many modern scientific advancements and is among a small group of institutes of technology in the United States that are devoted to the instruction of pure and applied sciences.
This is a strong option for students who are deeply committed to science and engineering — the 98% freshman retention rate and $106,300 median earnings at 10 years suggest that the students who get in tend to thrive and land well. The 3% acceptance rate makes it one of the hardest schools in the country to get into, and the tiny undergraduate enrollment of just over 1,000 means an intensely focused, pressure-cooker environment that genuinely isn't for everyone. The financial picture is surprisingly reasonable for a school of this caliber, with median debt of only $12,000 at graduation and an average net price of $18,902/year — so if you can get in, you likely won't be drowning in loans.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (987 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
California Institute of Technology
1200 E California Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91125
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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