The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a small private research university in Pasadena, California, with 971 undergraduates and 1,398 graduate students.[1] It is ranked 7th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 10th in 2026.[2]
Tuition for 2026–27 is $68,574, and the on-campus total of direct costs is $93,225.[3] Caltech meets the full demonstrated need of admitted students, but international applicants are assessed need-aware, because aid for them is limited.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
| Location | Pasadena, California, USA (1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91125)[5] |
| Type | Private research university[6] |
| Founded | 23 September 1891 as Throop University; renamed in 1920[1] |
| Students | 971 undergraduate and 1,398 graduate students[1] |
| Professorial faculty | 323[1] |
| Campus | 124 acres in Pasadena[1] |
| Academic divisions | Six: Biology and Biological Engineering; Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Engineering and Applied Science; Geological and Planetary Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy[6] |
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Managed by Caltech for NASA since 1958; about 4,600 JPL employees[1] |
| Class of 2029 | 248 first-year students from 11,285 applicants[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 7th (10th in the 2026 edition)[2] |
| Undergraduate tuition 2026–27 | $68,574; total direct costs on campus $93,225[3] |
| Graduate tuition and fees 2026–27 | $71,022 ($68,574 tuition and $2,448 mandatory fees)[7] |
| Entry tests | SAT or ACT, plus an English proficiency test unless exempt[4] |
| Official website | caltech.edu |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About Caltech
Caltech was established on 23 September 1891 as Throop University, founded by Amos G. Throop, and was renamed in 1920.[6][1] Its campus covers 124 acres in Pasadena, California.[1]
The institute is small: 971 undergraduates and 1,398 graduate students, with 323 professorial faculty.[1] Its page also reports 48 Nobel laureates.[1] Caltech manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA, which it founded in the 1930s and has managed for NASA since 1958.[1]
How is Caltech ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Caltech is 7th in the world. A press report says it climbed three places from 10th in 2026.[2] A second published top-ten list shows the same position, between Cambridge (6th) and the joint 8th pair ETH Zurich and UCL.[8]
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. See also the best universities in the USA.
What can you study at Caltech?
Caltech has six academic divisions:[1]
- Biology and Biological Engineering
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Engineering and Applied Science
- Geological and Planetary Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
For graduate study you apply to one academic option per admission cycle; committees look at the personal statement, transcripts and letters of recommendation, and there is no minimum GPA or other quantitative metric.[9]
How much does Caltech cost in 2026–27?
| Item (undergraduate, 2026–27) | Amount per year |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $68,574 |
| Fees | $2,655 |
| Housing | $12,711 |
| Food and meals | $9,285 |
| Total direct costs (on campus) | $93,225 |
This is the nine-month, full-time, on-campus budget on the Financial Aid Office’s cost page for 2026–27.[3]
Financial aid for international applicants
Caltech commits to meeting “the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students”. International applicants are considered need-aware: financial need may factor into the admission decision because aid funds for international students are limited. You must apply for aid when you apply for admission; if you do not apply for or receive first-year aid, you cannot apply in later periods, with possible exceptions for citizens of Canada and Mexico.[4]
Graduate students
For 2026–27 the Graduate Studies Office budget lists tuition of $68,574 and mandatory fees of $2,448, a total of $71,022 (per term $22,858 tuition and $816 fees). The PhD stipend rises to $50,000 a year ($4,166 a month) on 1 September 2026.[7]
How do you apply to Caltech as an international student?
First-year applicants apply during their final year of secondary school.[4]
- Tests: SAT or ACT scores, AP or IB scores if you have taken them, and an English proficiency exam unless exempt. If a standardised exam was not available or accessible where you live, you can explain this in the Caltech-specific application.[4]
- Transcripts: official transcripts sent directly from the school. If instruction is not in English, provide the original plus an English translation; Caltech “will not review your application if any part is not translated in English”.[4]
- Recommendations: two teacher recommendations, one from STEM (maths, physics, chemistry or biology) and one from humanities or social sciences (English, history, government or economics).[4]
Graduate applications run once a year for the following autumn, and you can apply to only one academic option per cycle. See the Graduate Studies Office for requirements.[9] We give no deadlines here because they change every year.
Which English test scores does Caltech want?
Undergraduate applicants need an English proficiency exam unless English is their native language or the main language of instruction at their secondary school; applicants from English-instruction schools whose first language is not English are strongly encouraged to submit scores. The test must be taken before the application deadline.[4]
| Test | Minimum total | Minimum each section |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 7 | 7 |
| TOEFL, taken before 21 Jan 2026 | 100 | 25 |
| TOEFL, taken on or after 21 Jan 2026 | 5 | 5 |
| Duolingo English Test | 130 | 130 |
The graduate admissions overview page does not state language scores; it refers to a separate “Requirements and Deadlines” page.[9]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Caltech cost?
Tuition for 2026–27 is $68,574, and total direct costs on campus are $93,225.[3]
Is Caltech need-blind for international students?
No. Caltech says admission is need-aware for international applicants because aid funds for them are limited, but it meets the full demonstrated need of all admitted students.[4]
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for Caltech?
IELTS 7 overall and in each section; TOEFL 100 with 25 per section for tests taken before 21 January 2026; Duolingo 130.[4]
Do PhD students at Caltech receive a stipend?
The Graduate Studies Office states that the PhD stipend rises to $50,000 a year on 1 September 2026.[7]
How is Caltech ranked?
It is 7th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 10th.[2]
More about studying in United States (USA)
- United States (USA): best universities
- Study in United States (USA): complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United States (USA)
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Stanford University
- University of California, Berkeley
Sources
[1] Caltech: At a glance (page updated 29 Sep 2026)
[2] Bluesky Thinking: QS World University Ranking 2027, beyond the top 10 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 19 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Caltech Financial Aid: Costs (2026–27 figures; page without a date)
[4] Caltech Undergraduate Admissions: International applicants (page without a date; names the deadlines of the current cycle, which we do not repeat)
[5] Caltech: Contact (page without a date)
[6] Wikipedia: California Institute of Technology (founding, type and divisions)
[7] Caltech Graduate Studies Office: Estimated budget (2026–27 figures; page without a date)
[8] Master Grad Schools: QS World University Rankings 2027 (article of 18 Jun 2026; top ten only)
[9] Caltech Graduate Studies Office: Admissions (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.