.png&w=96&q=75){kind=small}
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a small, intensely focused private research university in Pasadena, California, and one of the premier science-and-engineering institutions in the world. With fewer than 1,000 undergraduates and a 3-to-1 student-faculty ratio, Caltech is among the most selective colleges anywhere — it admitted roughly 2.6% of about 13,900 applicants. Caltech reinstated an SAT/ACT requirement starting with Fall 2026 applicants; because its most recent published class applied test-free, admitted-student score ranges aren't available yet. Computer science, engineering, and the physical sciences account for the vast majority of degrees. The figures below are drawn directly from Caltech's official Common Data Set.
See how Caltech compares
Pick up to two rivals — or search any school.
Caltech admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Action
Caltech offers Restrictive (single-choice) Early Action — non-binding, but you may not apply early to other private colleges.
Standardized Tests
Caltech requires the SAT or ACT, starting with Fall 2026 applicants.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
Score ranges not published yet
Caltech reinstated its SAT/ACT requirement starting with Fall 2026 applicants. Its most recent admitted class applied test-free, so published SAT and ACT score ranges aren't available yet.
Admissions Factors
How Caltech weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Caltech's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
Writing your Caltech application essay?
Esslo gives you line-by-line feedback on your Common App and supplemental essays — so your application stands out at Caltech and beyond.
Frequently asked questions about Caltech admissions
Is it hard to get into Caltech?＋
Yes. Caltech admitted about 2.6% of applicants in the most recent cycle, offering admission to roughly 356 of about 13,856 applicants and enrolling around 218 first-years.
What is Caltech's acceptance rate?＋
Caltech's acceptance rate is about 2.6%. In the most recent cycle it admitted roughly 356 students out of about 13,856 applicants and enrolled around 218 first-years.
Does Caltech require the SAT or ACT?＋
Yes. Caltech reinstated a standardized testing requirement starting with Fall 2026 applicants, after several years of being test-free. Because its most recent published entering class (Fall 2024) applied without scores, Caltech has not yet released admitted-student SAT or ACT score ranges under the new policy — so there is no official middle-50% range to target yet.
What GPA do you need to get into Caltech?＋
Caltech does not publish an average admitted GPA in its Common Data Set, so there is no official cutoff. What it does weigh most heavily is the rigor of your high school record — listed as a very important factor — meaning the depth of your math and science coursework matters as much as the grades themselves, with academic GPA and class rank rated important.
How much does Caltech cost, and does it offer good financial aid?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $68,708 per year before housing and food. Aid is generous: Caltech meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, about 49% of students receive aid, and the average aid package is roughly $74,780 — so many families pay far less than the sticker price.
Do Caltech's supplemental essays matter in admissions?＋
Yes — a great deal. Caltech rates the application essay, recommendations, and character/personal qualities all as very important factors, on par with the rigor of your coursework and standardized test scores. With an admit rate near 2.6%, the essays are one of the few places an academically qualified applicant can stand out from the pool.
What is Caltech known for academically?＋
Caltech is a small, STEM-focused research university — fewer than 1,000 undergraduates with a 3-to-1 student-faculty ratio. Computer science is the single most popular field at about 41% of bachelor's degrees, followed by engineering (31%) and the physical sciences (14%), with math and biology rounding out a curriculum built almost entirely around science and engineering.
Does Caltech have Early Decision or Early Action?＋
Caltech offers a Restrictive (single-choice) Early Action plan and does not offer binding Early Decision. Restrictive Early Action lets you apply early without committing to enroll, but it limits you from applying early to most other private colleges at the same time.
Source: California Institute of Technology Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-06. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Caltech. Banner photo by Yisong Yue, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).