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Caltech

California Institute of Technology

3.1%

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

Sticker Price vs What You Actually Pay

15% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Caltech enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Full Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$19,503
Total Cost of Attendance	$86,886

What You'll Actually Pay (Net Price by Income)

After financial aid, the real cost depends on your family's income. These are average net prices for students receiving aid.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$-2,133	$-8,532
$30-48k	$-2,886	$-11,544
$48-75k	$431	$1,724
$75-110k	$18,753	$75,012
$110k+	$54,157	$216,628

Financial Aid & Student Debt at Caltech

15.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Caltech True Cost by Family Income

15% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Caltech enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$-2,133	$-8,532
$30-48k	$-2,886	$-11,544
$48-75k	$431	$1,724
$75-110k	$18,753	$75,012
$110k+	$54,157	$216,628

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$19,503
Total Cost of Attendance	$86,886

Financial Aid & Student Debt

15.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$132,140

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Caltech Tuition & Cost FAQs

How much does Caltech actually cost per year?

Caltech's sticker price (cost of attendance) is $86,886/yr — that includes tuition, room and board, and fees. After financial aid, the average family pays just $13,664/yr, a 84% discount off sticker price.

Does Caltech offer good financial aid?

15% of Caltech students receive Pell Grants (federal need-based aid). Most US colleges including Caltech also award institutional grants on top of federal aid — apply via FAFSA, plus the CSS Profile if Caltech requires it.

What income bracket pays the least at Caltech?

Families earning under $30,000/yr typically pay around $-2,133/yr at Caltech after financial aid, while families earning over $110,000/yr pay closer to $54,157/yr. The full breakdown by income bracket is in the True Cost table above.

Is Caltech worth the cost?

Caltech graduates earn a median of $128,566 10 years post-graduation. Against a 4-year sticker cost of about $347,544 (less for most families with aid), grads typically recoup the investment within several years of work.