The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a private research university in Pasadena, California. Small in size (fewer than 1,000 undergraduates) but enormous in reputation, it is one of the world’s leading institutions for science and engineering.

Caltech at a glance

Location	Pasadena, California (United States)
Founded	1891
Type	Private research university (STEM)
Key strengths	Science, engineering, computer science, physics

Acceptance rate

Caltech is the most selective university in the United States: for the Class of 2029, it admitted 427 of 11,285 applicants, an acceptance rate of about 3.8% (source: Caltech).

Admission requirements

Caltech requires the SAT or ACT. Admitted students typically score between 1530 and 1580 on the SAT. An outstanding record in mathematics and science, along with a genuine passion for science, is key.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition is about $66,762 per year, with a total cost of attendance of about $90,000. Caltech offers need-based financial aid, including for international students.

How can you get into Caltech as an international student?

Applying from outside the US? Find out how to prepare for the SAT, explore our support for Bachelor’s admissions in the United States and discover the top American universities. To take stock of your options, book a guidance consultation.

Sources: admission statistics and fees published by Caltech and official bodies. Figures change every year, so check the latest data on the official website.