California Institute of Technology
(Bachelor’s programs)

The California Institute of Technology (CIT), known as Caltech, is a private university located in Pasadena, California. Caltech enrols around 2,400 students. The university is renowned for its emphasis on pure and applied sciences.

Caltech’s main campus is spread over 124 acres in Pasadena. Founded in 1891, Caltech has six academic sections. Students of the first year must live on campus, and 95% of those pursuing bachelor’s programs reside in the on-campus House System at Caltech.

*Need assistance to study in USA? Y-Axis is here to assist you in all the ways.

Every academic year, Caltech admits less than 1,000 students to undergraduate courses. The university’s acceptance rate is 6.7%, implying a very selective admission procedure. 

Nearly 8 percent of the students in the undergraduate programs of Caltech are foreign nationals. The university does not take into consideration a minimum GPA score while enrolling students. But most students who join the university have a GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.0, which is equivalent to 89% to 90%. 

The approximate cost of attendance at the university is $80,474.4 for undergraduate programs, of which tuition fees alone amount to $55,966.6.  

Graduates of Caltech earn an average salary that is about $105,500 per year.

Caltech offers to foreign students 28 majors and 12 minors in undergraduate degree programs. More students of this university, however, are enrolled in graduate programs than undergraduate ones.

Caltech provides its foreign students with a free metro pass in a bid to reduce their living expenses.

Acceptance rate at the California Institute of Technology

Caltech’s acceptance rate for undergraduate applications is 2.07%. 

Rankings of the California Institute of Technology

According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, the California Institute of Technology is ranked #6 among US Universities and Times Higher Education (THE) places it at #2 in its World University rankings, 2022. 

The campus of the California Institute of Technology

The campus of the California Institute of Technology is located at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. It has a Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Seismological Laboratory, and the Kavli Nanoscience Institute where research is undertaken, besides its other on-campus research facilities.

On campus are 50 student clubs and sports groups.

Accommodation at the California Institute of Technology

Caltech assures accommodation for all newcomers and second-year undergraduate students. The on-campus housing options for undergraduate students are wide-ranging.

For undergraduate students, the accommodation costs $3,605 per term per individual. 

The cost of accommodation for the students at Caltech is as follows:

Type of accommodation	Cost per month (in USD)
Four-bed quad furnished	640
Two-bedroom double furnished	763
One single bedroom	1,304.7

 

Programs offered at the California Institute of Technology

Caltech offers 28 undergraduate degree programs. The institute is divided into six academic blocks. They are:

• Biology & Biological Engineering
• Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
• Engineering & Applied Science
• Geological & Planetary Sciences
• Humanities & Social Sciences
• Physics, Mathematics & Astronomy

*Confused to choose which course to pursue? Avail Y-Axis course recommendation services to choose the best.

Joint degree programs are also offered by Caltech in alliance with the USC Keck School of Medicine, the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, and the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. 

Application process of the California Institute of Technology

Caltech has two intakes for undergraduate programs for foreign students. 

Application Portal: Common Application or Coalition Application 

Application Fee: for undergraduate programs, it is $75

Requirements for admission to undergraduate programs:

• Academic transcripts
• Documents showing the financial stability of the students
• Statement of purpose (SOP)
• Two letters of recommendation (LORs)
• Copy of identity pages of the passport
• Scores in the English language proficiency tests, like TOEFL iBT or Duolingo

*Get expert coaching services from Y-Axis professionals to ace your scores.

California Institute of Technology cost of attendance

Caltech accepts a number of direct charges from the students taking admission. Students are advised to make an estimated budget to study at the institution before applying. The following table provides the approximate costs of studying at the institute:

Expense type	Cost per year for undergraduate students (in USD)
Tuition fees	55,986
Mandatory fee	467.7
Accommodation	10.351.3
Food	7,458.8
Books & supplies	1,366
Personal expenses	2,584.7
Travel	2,289.4

 

Scholarships of the California Institute of Technology

Caltech doesn’t provide students with any merit-based scholarships. It, however, meets the 100% expenses of financially needy students. Caltech offers awards, scholarships, grants, and loans based only on the needs of the students and also assists them to find work while they are studying to cover their expenses. Foreign students can also apply for several external scholarships.

Alumni network of the California Institute of Technology

In the alumni network of Caltech are more than 24,000 proactive members who include tycoons, academia, technological pioneers, medical practitioners, etc. They can avail of benefits like openings and means to link with professionals and career aid via Caltech Alumni Advisors Network.

Placements at the California Institute of Technology

The Career Development Center of Caltech offers dedicated career aids to its graduates as well as alumni. This center provides career counseling, résumé preparing workshops, helping them in networking, and pursue higher education opportunities to students. The average base salary of students who graduate from Caltech is $105,500.

Other services

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE	LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION	OVERSEAS EDUCATION LOAN
COUNTRY SPECIFIC ADMISSION	COURSE RECOMMENDATION	DOCUMENT PROCUREMENT