California Institute of Technology
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California Institute of Technology (Caltech) : Fees, Rankings, Courses, Reviews

Shiksha popularity ranking
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#9 in World

#7 in USA

  • Private Institute
  • Institute Icon124 acre campus
  • Estd. 1891
Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 22 Sep '25

Caltech
What's new?

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Admissions for the upcoming academic session are now open at Caltech. Mentioned below are the latest deadlines:

  • Restrictive Early Action deadline is: Nov 1, 2025
  • Regular Decision deadline is: Jan 5, 2026
Latest news and articles
Oct 17, 2025
Top 10 Hardest Universities to Get into USA 2025...Read More
Top 10 Hardest Universities to Get into USA 2025

About California Institute of Technology

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Year of establishment
1891
University website
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Student website
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Campus size
124 acres
No. of campus
1
Endowment value
USD 2 billion
Scholarships granted
613
Scholarship amount granted
USD 28 million
Application fees
USD 75
English proficiency test
Required
Accepted exams
SAT/ACT accepted
Not required
Total faculty
932
Faculty/Student ratio
3
Male/Female ratio
0.56
Total criminal offences
216
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Commonly asked questions
On Highlights
Q:   Is Caltech harder to get into than MIT?
A: 

Yes, the Caltech acceptance rate stands at 3%. while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology acceptance rate is 4.52% giving students a marginally better chance of admission.

Interested applicants must stand out among their peers both academically and non-academically, across every level of studies and submit a standout application to have the best possible chance of admission.

Q:   What is a good GRE score for Caltech?
A: 

GRE is not highly required for caltech but however it is in certain courses. The University has termed GRE into three segements that is R for required, O for optional and SR for strongry required. Students must read all the requirements of the courses to avoid the last minutre confusion and hassle.

Want to score good in GRE? Check out GRE preparation tips 

Note: To check out which subjects require GRE, applicants must check the admission highlights and click on the GRE pdf caltech

 

Q:   Is Caltech an Ivy League?
A: 

Caltech is not an Ivy League school but it tends to enjoy a similar reputation and social status. In regards to Math / Science / Engineering education, Caltech is one of the best institutes to attend. In terms of the quality of the student body and the raw IQ, then also Caltech is a top institute for studies. According to unofficial sources, Caltech trumps every other college in the nation including MIT and Harvard. The sources also claim that students must be smart and clever enough in Math / Science to survive at Caltech.

California Institute of Technology Ranking 2025

#9

World level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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#7

Country level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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Commonly asked questions
On Rankings
Q:   Where is Caltech ranked in the world?
A: 

CalTech is not only among the top 10 colleges & universities in the US, the institute also forms part of the best higher educational institutions on a global scale.

As per World University Rankings 2025 given by a major university ranking publication, CalTech ranks #10 among all colleges & universities, worldwide.

As far as national level rankings go, the institute secures a rank #6 as part of the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings.

California Institute of Technology Admissions

  • Application fees :USD 75 - 100
  • Type of deadline :Depends on course
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNeeded for few courses
LORNeeded for all courses
EssaysNeeded for few courses
CVNeeded for few courses
Additional documentsRequired
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   What is the entrance exam for Caltech?
A: 

The university does not conduct an entrance exam of its own; however, it does consider valid scores in the SAT or ACT for admission to undergraduate courses. 

Students seeking admission to STEM courses are required to have completed their secondary school studies in the relevant fields. 

Source: California Institute of Technology Official Website

Q:   How long does it take to hear back from California Institute of Technology?
A: 

According to the California Institute of Technology admissions department, the decisions regarding the admission and selection of candidates are communicated within 6 weeks of receiving of duly completed application form.

Q:   What is the application deadline for the California Institute of Technology?
A: 

International students can apply for Caltech admissions before the deadline to increase their chances of getting into the university. The application deadlines at Caltech are different for both undergraduate and graduate programs for international students. Below are California Institute of Technology admission deadlines:

 
Deadline TypeDeadline
UG Early DecisionNov 01, 2025
PG Fall 2026Dec 15, 2025

Caltech
Caltech Scholarships 2025

Caltech Popular Courses

MS
B.Sc.
B.E. / B.Tech
BBA
More

₹58.23 LGet Fee Details

₹58.23 LGet Fee Details

₹48.42 LGet Fee Details

₹58.23 LGet Fee Details

₹58.23 LGet Fee Details

View AllMS Courses

Caltech Placements

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Commonly asked questions
On Placements
Q:   What is the average salary of the graduates of the Caltech?
A: 

The graduates at the Caltech are employed at the best industies in their field. The Califiornia Institute of Technology does not releases data about the students placements and average salary. The average salary as per various unofficial sources is given below:

Jobs

Sample Salary

Executive Management & Change

USD 210,000 or INR 1.74 Cr PA

Financial Services

USD 135,000 or INR 1.12 Cr PA

R&D, Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

USD 128,000 or INR 1.06 Cr PA

Engineering

USD 125,000 or INR 1.03 Cr PA

IT & Software Development

USD 120,000 or INR 99.67 LPA

Caltech Fees

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Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MS(18 courses)
INR 47 L - 58 LGet Fee Details
Duration1 year-2 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, IELTS, GRE
B.Sc.(13 courses)
INR 56 L - 58 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE, Duolingo: 130 & Above, SAT, IELTS: 7 & Above
B.E. / B.Tech(7 courses)
INR 56 L - 58 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE, Duolingo: 130 & Above, SAT, IELTS: 7 & Above
BBA(2 courses)
INR 56 L - 58 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE, Duolingo: 130 & Above, SAT, IELTS: 7 & Above
B.A.(5 courses)
INR 56 L - 58 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE, Duolingo: 130 & Above, SAT, IELTS: 7 & Above
Read more
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility
Q:   What is Caltech acceptance rate for international students?
A: 

The California Institute of Technology is one of the top ranked university in the world. The univeristy is ranked among the top 10 universities. Being a top ranked university, caltech is one of the difficult universities to get selected into. Although there is no explicit data of Caltech acceptance rate for international students, the gerenal caltech acceptance rate is 3%. To get selected into the university, the students are required to be the best. Having a great academic background, work experience, excellent test scores and timely application are some of the ways to increase chances of getting selected into the Caltech as an international students.

Q:   How much is Caltech's International student fee?
A: 

The Tution fees for international students at the California Institute of Technology can vary depending on the main factors such as course, level of study  (UG and PG) . However, International students considering this university could be a little higher than compared to US  citizens. The UG programme Academic tuition fee for international students is around  ( INR 54.1 L - 56.1 L ) per annum, depending on the course. It’s  (INR 44.9 L - 56.1 L) for PG courses.

Q:   What are the California Institute of Technology requirements for international students?
A: 

Below are the requirements for international students at the California Institute of Technology:

  • Transcripts of your high school: Transcripts include your information and performance in high school, and Caltech University wants its applicants to have the following:

  1. A four-year maths, including one year of Calculus

  2. 1 year of chemistry

  3. 1 year of physics(preferably Calcus related but not required) 

  • SOP: An SOP is essential for the application process for Caltech It helps the applicant to convey their talents, Academic excellence accomplishments and personal background of applicants.

  • Portfolio:  This depends on the course the applicant chooses, as this is not present in every program. However, having a creative and unique portfolio will help you get into Caltech. 

Click here to: Make your portfolio look better)

  • English requirements: The following table explains the minimum score for each English exam the university is excepting: 

English Language proficiency 

Minimum score 

IELTS

7.5 and above in all bands

Dulingo 

120 and above  (125 recommended) 

TOFEL

100 and above

PG Course Requirements: 

  • LOR: Some programs ask for a LOR, and with particular exceptions, who should write those letters. 

  • Statement of purpose( an SOP): An SOP is essential for the application process for Caltech. It helps the applicant to convey their talents, Academic excellence accomplishments and personal background of applicants. 

  • Transcripts and degrees: the applicant must provide the university with transcripts of their academics with degree certificates. Similarly, applying for PhD or doctoral program may require a master’s degree and transcripts from all graduate institutions of the applicant. 

  • English Language Proficiency exams: The following table explains the minimum score of each English exam the university is expecting: 

English Language proficiency 

Minimum score 

IELTS

7.5 and above in all bands

Dulingo

120 and above 

TOFEL

100 and above

  •     Entrance exam: Graduate school entrance exams are most common, but however, the programs might require different exams from the applicants depending on the course chosen by the individual. 

  • Resume/CV:  The University also might ask you for a CV or a resume depending on the course you choose for professional experience.







Caltech
Student profile

Quick university statsInsights on student demographics, enrolment, and academic success
UG Race

Others

40%

Asian

34%

Hispanic

22%

Black

3%

UG Student residence

Out of state

57%

In state

28%

Foreign

13%

UG Age distribution

24 and under

99%

UG Applicant Icon

UG Number of Applicant

16626
grad RateIcon

Overall Graduation Rate

94
UG Enroll Icon

UG Enrollment

982
PG Enroll Icon

PG Enrollment

1419

Caltech Notable Alumni

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Caltech vs MIT vs Stanford University: Which is Better?

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Compare Caltech with other similar colleges

MS
B.Sc.
B.E. / B.Tech
BBA
B.A.
College1st Year Tuition FeesRanking
INR 46.59 L - 58.23 L#10 QS, 2026
INR 37.27 L - 1.14 Cr#1 QS, 2026
INR 30.9 L - 1.32 Cr#3 QS, 2026
INR 46.02 L - 55.37 L#1 US News, 2026
INR 38.42 L - 75.33 L#4 US News, 2026
INR 23.55 L - 64.45 L#17 US News, 2026
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
View comparisonsRight Arrow Icon

Studying in USA

Key Facts About USA

Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Education in USA
school Key Fact Icon
963+
backpack Key Fact Icon
3.38L
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
20 hours per week
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
12 months
Country stats
mapPin Key Fact Icon
Washington D.C.
keyUsers Key Fact Icon
347.28M (2025)
chartMixed Key Fact Icon
2%
letterA Key Fact Icon
English
Weather
October
CF
Popular LocationsMinMax
Boston817
New York1018
Chicago1017
Los Angeles1626
Explore popular study abroad destinations
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Commonly asked questions
On Study in Country
Q:   What are the requirements to study in USA for international students?
A: 

International students must meet the requirements to study in USA. Students must have a required qualification as per the programme and submit the test score during the process. Check below the English language test and additional tests accepted by US Universities:

Entrance Exam

Count of Universities

GRE

524

PTE

500

GMAT

434

ACT

12

 

English Language Exams

Count of Universities

TOEFL

1032

IELTS

960

Duolingo

816

Caltech Campus Life

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Commonly asked questions
On Others
Q:   What are some popular student events that take place at Caltech?
A: 

TEDx, Science Tuesdays at KML, Founding & Investing in the Technologies of Tommorrow, Stargazing & Americana Music Nights are among the popular student events at Caltech.

These events aim to bring together students to understand the complexities of today & tommorrow & develop the skills necessary to deal with them, with experts of different fields guiding them over this journey.

Also, a great opportunity to grow your network & build meaningful connections.

Caltech Research

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Caltech 
FAQs

Q:   Are international students exempted from submitting ELP scores for admission to Caltech?
A: 

The following exemptions apply for Caltech admissions and non submission of ELP scores:

  • English is the primary language of instruction in the secondary school
  • Applicants with a degree from a college or university whose primary instruction is in English
Q:   Does Caltech host any parties?
A: 

Caltech students can choose to opt into the house system, where they are placed into one of the eight UG houses. Each house has a family-style dinner every weeknight during which they sit together in their dining hall and are served by paid student waiters. Each UG house has its unique customs. For example, Dabney House stages a liquid nitrogen pumpkin drop from the top of the Caltech Hall every Halloween. Furthermore, these houses host one ‘inter-house’ party during the year. These are elaborate events, where members of the house plan food, music, décor, and other parts of the party for the UG student body.

Q:   What are the housing options at Caltech?
A: 

Caltech has 11 residence halls on campus with a variety of living arrangements: singles, doubles, triples, and suite-style living. There are 8 traditional UG houses as well as 3 unaffiliated (non-house) halls. There are common areas for students to socialize, mingle, dine, and work on problem sets together. Furthermore, the university’s residence halls also provide a strong support system. Each has peer advisors, health advocates, a resident associate, etc. Also, there is always someone to talk to when students need any kind of assistance or just want to chat. Furthermore, the housing system also offers a lot of opportunities to join student leadership.

Q:   Who are the notable faculty members of CalTech?
A: 

CalTech is one of the top universities in the world. Known for its state of the art research facilities and engineering program, Caltech ranks among the top 10 universities in the world as per THE 2024 Rankings. Some of the notable faculty members of the university are:

Faculty NameDetails
Thomas F Rosenbaum,  Ph.D.President; Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair; Professor of Physics
John N Abelson,  Ph.D.George Beadle Professor of Biology, Emeritus
Yaser Abu-Mostafa,  Ph.D.Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Rana Adhikari,  Ph.D.Professor of Physics
Jess F Adkins,  Ph.D.Smits Family Professor of Geochemistry and Global Environmental Science
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Caltech

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a month ago

No, the intercollegiate athletic teams of the California Institute of Technology compete in NCAA Division III. The 16 varsity sports teams are also known as the Beavers and, time and again, continue to make the university proud, with around 25% of the UG students participating in the intercollegiate

...Read more

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The Caltech courses are offered undergraduate and graduate levels across many domains and subjects. With just a 3.14% acceptance rate, international students are required to put their best foot forward by meeting the criteria below: 

  • Bachelor's degree equivalent to a US 4-year degree, with a strong a

...Read more

K

Kanika Pandey

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

With an acceptance rate of just 3.14%, the California Institute of Technology is highly competitive for international students. This Institute not only looks for academic rigor, but also the extracurricular activities and the applicant's motivation to pursue the Caltech courses. For UG programs, bel

...Read more

D

Divya Shukla

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 months ago

Yes, Caltech provides all-round support to all its international students, as part of its International Student Program (ISP). 

The Caltech ISP program provides guidance on visa acquirement, employment authorization, travel guidance, visa delay assistance, community building & support with taxes in t

...Read more

A

Akash Gaur

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 months ago

Yes, Caltech accepts Indian students along with applicants from most parts of the world (30+ countries), with China, India & Canada among the countries with the highest number of Indian students.

The institute admitted 140 international UG & 671 PG students as part of its Fall semester enrollment for

...Read more

A

Akash Gaur

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

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Kartik Bisht

Study Abroad Expert

A tech enthusiast, Kartik has graduated with a Bachelor of Computer Application from the IMS Ghaziabad 2023 batch. Kartik loves to learn about Cybersecurity and Cybercrime. Also, his hobbies are such as traveling, trekking, cooking, and more. Moreove...Read Full Bio
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Caltech
Location

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University CityPasadena, California, USA
Size of cityMedium
Population of City1,43,000

Caltech
Campuses

Departments Icon1   Campuses
Caltech CampusUp Arrow Icon
Address

1200 East California Boulevard Pasadena, California 91125 USA

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Caltech
Contact Information

Address

1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
Pasadena ( California)

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