California Institute of Technology
About California Institute of Technology
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
California Institute of Technology is a private university in Pasadena, CA. It has a 2.7% acceptance rate and a 94% graduation rate, serving approximately 982 students.
Founded
1891
Location
Pasadena, California
Students
2,430
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
2.6%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
94.4%
Above national average
Tuition
$65,898
Per year
Avg Net Price
$16,075
After financial aid
SAT Average
1555
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$128,566
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Most Selective
Only 2.6 out of 100 applicants are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Required
Application Fee
$75
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 5
With a 2.6% acceptance rate and an average SAT of 1555, California Institute of Technology is among the most selective schools in the country. Every part of your application needs to stand out.
SAT Scores
1555/ 1600
ACT Scores
36/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Excellent
94.4% complete their degree within six years
Retention
97.4%
4-Year Grad
86%
6-Year Grad
93%
Teaching Quality
3:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
91%
$/Student
$124.5K
Class Size
Small
86% of students graduate on time, and with a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$65,898
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$20,283
Books & Supplies
$1,428
Total Cost of Attendance
$86,886
After Financial Aid
$16,075
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$-2,133
Receive Grants
18%
Take Loans
4.3%
Don't let the $65,898 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $16,075 after financial aid, a 76% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $-2,133.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at California Institute of Technology fund their education.
While in School
18%
Get Grants
Free money
4.3%
Take Loans
Must repay
$44,848
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$12,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
N/A
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $12,000, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends California Institute of Technology.
Gender
45.2%
Female
55%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
987
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
1,443
Graduates
N/A
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
0.3%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (45% women, 55% men). 14.1% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
987
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Quarter calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
No
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Tiny class sizes and intense faculty mentoring
- +Pasadena has perfect weather year-round
- +NASA JPL access for research opportunities
- +Honor code creates a trusting campus culture
Cons
- -Extremely intense academic workload
- -Very small student body limits social options
- -Pasadena suburban setting lacks nightlife
- -Limited non-STEM offerings for balance
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
California Institute of Technology fields 9 varsity teams with 306 student athletes, about 31% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III without football
Conference
SCIAC
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
9
Biggest: Track and Field (Outdoor)
Student Athletes
306
31% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
54% / 46%
166
Men
140
Women
8
Men's Teams
8
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of California Institute of Technologyearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$128,566
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Computer Science
$173K
67 grads
1yr Earnings
Mechanical Engineering
—
36 grads
Physics
—
26 grads
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
—
18 grads
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
—
16 grads
Applied Mathematics
—
14 grads
Graduates start at $132K six years out, climb to $106K by year eight, and reach $129K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about California Institute of Technology
What is the acceptance rate at California Institute of Technology?▾
How much does California Institute of Technology cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at California Institute of Technology?▾
How much do California Institute of Technology graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.