Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics 

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 

California Institute of Technology cost vary by housing and living type for international students. Applicants can select either on-campus or off-campus housing to study at the university. The table bleow includes the Catalina Apartments monthly rates -

Mentioned below is the Off-Campus housing monthly rates:

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

International students can pursue California Institute of Technology BTech in Chemical Engineering at a manageable fees. The duration of the course is 4 years and first-year fees is INR 55 L. California Institute of Technology ranking is #4 in Chemical Engineering in USA. Caltech Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering offers Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering Degree program. Therefore, Caltech is good for studying BTech in Chemical Engineering in USA.

To get admission at Caltech, international students are required to submit the SAT or ACT scores for the fall 2026 entry. It was optional earlier for most years. However, if the finances are an issue, this can be communicated to the Caltech Office of Admissions for a waiver. Look at the minimum scores required in these entrance exams - 

• SAT: 1510+
• ACT: 35+

It is definitely not an easy task to get into Caltech as an Indian student as the acceptance rate is only 2.57% for the recent year. To get in, the applicant has to be extraordinary with great academic grades, English language proficiency and more. Look at the Caltech admission requirements given below - 

• 90%+ in subject (Math and Science)
• TOEFL with 100+ and IELTS with 7.0+
• Great LORs 
• Achievements in STEM and Olympiads 
• Extracurricular activity participation
• SAT cracked with 1510+ and ACT with 35+ marks

Since, Caltech is a very popular and tempting choice for Engineering enthusiasts worldwide, it can be considered a little expensive. Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Caltech) upholds its reputation as the world's best Engineering schools. The Caltech Engineering tuition fee 2025-26 is USD 63,402 (INR 54.4 L) a year, which international students are required to pay. Please note that the mentioned fee is only the first-year tuition fee without including living expenses and other fee components. The total cost of a degree for the first year, as an international student, can be USD 90,822 on-campus and USD 94,380 off-campus. 

On the other hand, the PG tuition fee is USD 65,706 (INR 56.4 L) for the first year at Caltech USA.

According to the Quacquarelli Symonds  World rankings, the Engineering and Technology domain is ranked #13 among the best in the world which is a downgrade from #9 in 2024. 

On the other hand, Engineering courses at Caltech are ranked at #5 by the US World and News ranking 2025 body among the best Engineering programs worldwide.  According to the rankings released by Shiskha Popularity, this school ranks at #3 in Aerospace Engineering, at #9 in BE/BTech, and #7 in Engineering.

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