Overview
The California Institute of Technology, widely known as Caltech, is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that brings together some of the brightest minds and most advanced tools to tackle fundamental scientific questions and pressing global challenges. Caltech faculty and students are continuously expanding our understanding of the universe and developing the technologies of tomorrow — from quantum science and engineering to bioinformatics, from human behaviour and economics to energy and sustainability.
Founded in 1891 as a preparatory and vocational school by Amos G. Throop in Pasadena, California, the institution began attracting world-class scientists in the early 20th century and officially assumed its present name in 1920. Its 124-acre primary campus is located approximately 11 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Caltech has an exceptionally low student-to-faculty ratio of 3:1, with 300 faculty members teaching approximately 1,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students. Home to over 50 research centres and institutes, research is the cornerstone of a Caltech education. Over half of Caltech students begin conducting research in their very first year, and 9 out of 10 undergraduates participate in research at some point during their studies.
Caltech manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which sends robotic probes to explore the planets of our solar system. The university also owns and operates large-scale research facilities including a global astronomical observatory network, and holds over 2,000 active US patents. More than 100 Caltech-affiliated start-ups have launched in the past decade alone.
As of October 2025, Caltech has 48 Nobel Prizes to its name, awarded to 26 alumni and 17 non-alumni professors. The university also manages LIGO — co-founded with MIT — which made history in 2016 by observing gravitational waves for the first time.
| 2.57% Acceptance Rate | ~2,400 Total Students | 3:1 Student-Faculty Ratio | 48 Nobel Prizes |
Ranking
Caltech holds the #10 position in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and is ranked #7 globally by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 — a position it has held consistently over the past five years.
In the US News & World Report National University Rankings 2026, Caltech is placed at #11, and ranks #7 in Best Value Schools — a testament to its strong return on investment for students.
In QS subject rankings, Caltech's Engineering and Technology programs are ranked #13 globally. According to US News subject rankings, Engineering programs at Caltech are placed at #5 in the world.
| Ranking Body | Global Rank |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | #10 |
| Times Higher Education 2025 | #7 |
| US News National Universities 2026 | #11 |
| US News Best Value Schools | #7 |
Intakes
Caltech admits graduate students once a year, with enrollment beginning at the start of the Fall term. Completed applications are typically due between November 15 and December 15 for Fall enrollment the following year.
- Fall Intake (September/October) — The only intake for most programs; open to all graduate and undergraduate applicants
- Restrictive Early Action (REA) — Undergraduate early admission deadline in November, with decisions in mid-December
- Regular Decision (RD) — Undergraduate deadline in January, with decisions around mid-March
Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level program admissions. Students are encouraged to verify intake availability and deadlines directly with their chosen Caltech division.
Top Courses
Caltech has six academic divisions, many of which have highly ranked graduate programs globally. These are:
- Biology and Biological Engineering — Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Bioengineering
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering — Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry
- Engineering and Applied Science — Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering
- Geological and Planetary Sciences — Geophysics, Environmental Science, Planetary Science
- Humanities and Social Sciences — Economics, History, Political Science, Philosophy
- Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy — Physics, Applied Mathematics, Astrophysics
The most popular programs among international students at Caltech include Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, and Aerospace Engineering.
The Caltech MS program is ranked #2 in the world by US News. Specialisations such as Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering are all highly ranked and popular with international applicants.
Cost of Studying at California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
The estimated total cost of attendance for Caltech undergraduate students in the 2024–25 academic year is $90,822 for students living on campus. This includes tuition of $63,402, fees of $2,496, housing of $11,697, and food/meals of $8,586, along with books, supplies, and personal expenses.
Health insurance through the Caltech Student Health Insurance Plan costs $5,049 for the 2025–26 school year. Students who have comparable coverage through another plan may apply for a waiver.
For PhD students, the financial package typically includes full tuition coverage, mandatory fees, and a contribution to the student health care plan. The PhD stipend rate for all divisions in 2024–25 is $46,500 per year ($3,875 per month).
| Type of Expense | Annual Cost (INR Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | ₹52,90,000 |
| Mandatory Fees | ₹2,08,000 |
| Housing (On-Campus) | ₹9,75,000 |
| Food & Meals | ₹7,15,000 |
| Books & Supplies | ₹1,19,000 |
| Personal Expenses | ₹2,68,000 |
| Health Insurance | ₹4,21,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | ₹75,70,000 – ₹78,65,000 |
Note: Figures are approximate and based on 2024–25 data. Please refer to Caltech's official website for the latest fee structure.
Scholarships
Caltech is committed to meeting 100% of every admitted student's demonstrated financial need through a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. For the incoming Fall 2024 class, the average grant aid was just under $73,000. Caltech does not award merit scholarships — all financial aid is purely need-based.
Students from families earning less than $200,000 annually (with typical assets) can generally expect an aid package that covers tuition. For families earning below $100,000, students can expect a no-loan aid package covering tuition, fees, housing, and food.
International applicants who plan to seek financial aid at any point during their undergraduate study must apply for it at the time of their initial application. If a student does not apply for aid in their first year, they will not be eligible to apply in subsequent years.
Key funding opportunities available include:
- Caltech Need-Based Grants — Covers 100% of demonstrated financial need; no repayment required
- PhD Fellowship Packages — Full tuition waiver + monthly stipend of $3,875 for all doctoral students
- GALCIT Graduate Fellowships — Full tuition and substantial living stipend for entering master's candidates in Aerospace Engineering with doctoral potential
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) — Paid research opportunities for undergraduates during summer
- External Scholarships — Fulbright-Nehru, Inlaks Foundation, and other Indian government-supported scholarships are accepted at Caltech
Students are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid at the time of their initial application, as late requests are generally not considered.
Admissions
Caltech received over 13,800 applications for the 2024–25 academic year, of which only around 356 students were offered admission — making the acceptance rate just 2.57%, one of the lowest of any university in the world.
Caltech follows a holistic admissions process that places strong emphasis on academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, research experience, and a clear alignment with the institute's scientific mission.
For Graduate Programs:
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, before commencing graduate study. Transcripts from each institution attended, three letters of recommendation, a CV, and essays are all required and are carefully and equally weighed during the evaluation process.
For international students whose native language is not English, Caltech recognises TOEFL scores, Pearson PTE, IELTS, and Duolingo as valid English proficiency certifications. Applicants may self-report scores on the application or have results sent directly to Caltech.
- Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering-related field
- Strong academic record — most admitted students hold a GPA of 3.5+ (top 5–10% of class)
- TOEFL iBT: 100+ / IELTS: 7.0+ / Duolingo / PTE also accepted
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose / Research Essays
- CV / Résumé
- GRE scores (policy varies by division — optional for many programs)
For Undergraduate Programs:
- Strong academic record in Class 12 (Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry essential)
- SAT or ACT scores required
- 2 Teacher Recommendations + Counsellor Recommendation
- Caltech-specific application essays
- TOEFL / IELTS for non-native English speakers
Indian students can check Caltech's specific admission requirements for their chosen program through Polygon Campus.
Placements
Caltech's small, elite graduate community commands exceptional career outcomes, particularly in STEM, research, and technology sectors.
According to Caltech's official Class of 2023 Undergraduate Outcomes report, the median and modal base salary range for graduating students was $110,000–$119,000 per year.
Six years after graduation, the median salary for Caltech graduates is $132,140 — among the highest of any university in the United States.
Recent Caltech graduates have gone on to join organisations such as Meta, SpaceX, NVIDIA, Google, and a wide variety of prestigious research labs and graduate schools. Top graduate school destinations for Caltech alumni since 2000 include Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Princeton, and Caltech itself.
Among Caltech's most celebrated alumni is Frank Borman, who commanded the 1968 Apollo 8 Mission — the first team of astronauts to circle the moon. Other distinguished alumni include Charles Richter, who developed the Richter Scale for measuring earthquakes, Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling, and legendary physicist Richard Feynman.
Jobs After Graduating from Caltech
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $1,20,000 – $1,60,000 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $1,00,000 – $1,40,000 |
| Research Scientist | $95,000 – $1,30,000 |
| Data Scientist | $1,10,000 – $1,50,000 |
| Electrical Engineer | $95,000 – $1,25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,000 – $1,20,000 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $85,000 – $1,15,000 |
| Chemical Engineer | $90,000 – $1,20,000 |
| Quantitative Analyst | $1,20,000 – $1,80,000 |
| Computer Scientist / AI Engineer | $1,30,000 – $1,75,000 |
Note: Salary figures are indicative and may vary based on role, employer, and industry.
Caltech's career support ecosystem includes:
- CALE (Career Achievement, Leadership & Exploration) — Dedicated career advising, employer workshops, and networking support
- Caltech Alumni Network (25,500+ active members) — Connections across virtually every field and industry globally
- On-Campus Recruiting — Top companies including NVIDIA, Google, Roblox, Oracle, SpaceX, and Meta recruit directly on campus
- Research-to-Career Pathways — Faculty mentorship and lab experience that opens doors to elite PhD programs and industry research roles
- OPT & STEM OPT — International graduates can remain and work in the US for up to 12–36 months after graduation
For personalised guidance on Caltech admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.