CAMPUS · PASADENA, CA · PRIVATE

Caltech

California Institute of Technology

3.1%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

REACH

Caltech is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

3.1%

of 13,107 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$128,566

across all majors

Caltech at a Glance

2,518

Total Enrollment

15.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Caltech Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News National Universities	#6	2025
QS World University Rankings	#10	2025
THE World University Rankings	#6	2025
ARWU (Shanghai)	#9	2024

Show 10-Year US News Ranking History

US News National Universities
2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
#10	#12	#10	#12	#12	#9	#9	#9	#7	#6

US News National Universities: #10 (2016) → #6 (2025) ↑ 4 spots

Caltech Overview

California Institute of Technology is a private university in Pasadena, CA with 2,518 students. With a 3.1% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Engineering, Computer Science, and Physical Sciences.

Full Name	California Institute of Technology
Location	Pasadena, CA 91125
Type	Private
Website	caltech.edu/
Total Enrollment	2,518
Undergrad Enrollment	1,023
Female Students	44.8%

Is Caltech a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 3.1%, Caltech is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	Caltech Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at Caltech

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Engineering

36.1%

Computer Science

30.5%

Physical Sciences

16.3%

Mathematics/Statistics

10.7%

Biological Sciences

6.0%

Student Demographics

White

21.5%

Black/African American

3.4%

Hispanic/Latino

22.0%

Asian

34.4%

International

9.0%

How to Get Into Caltech

Caltech is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Beyond grades and scores, Caltech wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

3.1%

Acceptance Rate

13,107

Total Applicants

What Caltech Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Not Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Very Important
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Very Important
Talent Ability	Very Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Not Considered
Interview	Important
Work Experience	Not Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Caltech Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Caltech REA admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Action	Nov 1
Regular Decision	Jan 5
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)	Mar 2

REA: Caltech uses REA (Restrictive Early Action). You can apply early without a binding commitment, but you cannot apply early to other private schools.

Frequently Asked Questions About Caltech

What is Caltech's acceptance rate?

Caltech has an acceptance rate of 3.1%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What are the most popular majors at Caltech?

The most popular majors at Caltech by degrees awarded are: Engineering (36.1%), Computer Science (30.5%), Physical Sciences (16.3%), Mathematics/Statistics (10.7%), Biological Sciences (6.0%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to Caltech?

Caltech accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.