Master of Science in Civil Engineering 

at Caltech, Pasadena

To get admission to any of these institutions is not at all easy. This is because the acceptance rate at MIT and Caltech remains very low. For the class of 2028, MIT acceptance rate is 4.55% and on the other hand, for Caltech, it is 2.57%.  So Caltech is harder to get into than MIT. 

If you are an Indian student wishing to apply for both of them, please know that the application needs to be -   

• Unique
• Bright
• Full of extracurriculars,
• Have a great academic background 
• Really strong reason to pursue courses 

With an acceptance rate of just 2.57%, 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, below is the eligibility criteria mentioned: 

• Completion of both year X and XII state board or CBSE examinations in India. 

• Strong grades, ideally among the top 10% of class, with a minimum 3.5 GPA (90%)

• Applicants must have at least 4 years of Mathematics (including Calculus), one of Chemistry and Physics, 4 years of English, and 2–3 years of social sciences/history.
• 1 year of Biology as a subject is recommended

The Caltech courses are offered undergraduate and graduate levels across many domains and subjects. With just a 2.57% 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 academic record (typically 3.5 GPA/85–90%+)

• Degree must be in a relevant field aligned with your intended graduate study

• GRE General Test is often required; competitive scores above 310-320. GRE Subject Test may be required in some programs

• English proficiency: TOEFL 100+, IELTS 7.0–7.5, Duolingo 120–130

• Transcripts,  statement of purpose, 2–3 recommendation letters, resume or CV, portfolio (if required), and sometimes research publications or conference presentations

• Certain programs (e.g., in arts or design) may require auditions or creative portfolios

• Professional and research experience are advantageous

As per U.S. News ranking, Stanford ranks better than Caltech. Both these universities are the top-ranked universities globally and in the U.S. 

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 . 

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.

Indian students seeking admission to Caltech are required to follow the steps mentioned below to secure their seats:

• Register on the official Catltech application portal (Questbridge or Common App)
• Choose a course and apply 
• Make sure to upload all the required documents and fill in all mandatory fields as honestly as possible
• Review the application carefully 
• Pay the standard California Institute of Technology application fee worth USD 75 (INR 6.4 K)
• Wait for the university to share an official response
• Accept the admission offer and start looking for accommodation near Caltech

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.

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

The Caltech is one of the toughest universities to get selected into. To get selected into Caltech as an international student, you need to be best. The Caltech does not mention any specific admission requirements for MS course, but for graduates courses, the admission requirements are given below: