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California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA·Private·www.caltech.edu/

Campus Identity

Ski TownNCAA D3PhD Programs

California Institute of Technology is a small private nonprofit university in Pasadena, CA. Approximately 987 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 3% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 22 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 30 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 30/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

California Institute of Technology is a small private nonprofit university in Pasadena, CA. Approximately 987 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 3% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 22 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 30 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 30/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

3%
Acceptance Rate
13,856 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$56,364
In-State Tuition
+$2,316 fees
$56,364
Out-of-State Tuition
+$2,316 fees
$20,283
Room & Board
987
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
61%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D3
Athletics
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.
Selectivity3% · Selective
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D3

Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

22 miles

Venice Beach, CA

Weather

Hot Climate

63°F avg school-year

Ski Town

19 mi away
30 mi away
290 skiable acres14 lifts
30 mi away
800 skiable acres4 lifts

Nearest Beach

Venice Beach, CA

Ocean access within 22.3 miles

22 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Pasadena, CA

57°Jan58°Feb61°Mar63°Apr66°May71°Jun76°Jul77°Aug76°Sep70°Oct62°Nov56°Dec

Station: PASADENA · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

30/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety283034
28/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
30/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
34/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$56,364
Fees
$2,316
Room & Board
$20,283
Total
$78,963
App Fee: $75

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

79 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Computer ScienceBachelor's
67 grads/yr$200,511
ChemistryDoctoral
39 grads/yr$119,626
Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's
36 grads/yr
PhysicsBachelor's
26 grads/yr
PhysicsDoctoral
24 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer Science
Bachelor's67 grads$200,511
Chemistry
Doctoral39 grads$119,626
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's36 grads
Physics
Bachelor's26 grads
Physics
Doctoral24 grads
Physics
Master's20 grads
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Bachelor's18 grads
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Master's18 grads
Engineering Physics
Master's18 grads
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Doctoral17 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is California Institute of Technology located?

California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA. The main campus address is 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at California Institute of Technology?

California Institute of Technology has an acceptance rate of 3%, making it extremely selective. Out of 13,856 applicants, 356 were admitted in the most recent year. 987 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend California Institute of Technology?

For the 2023–24 academic year, California Institute of Technology charges $56,364/year in tuition. Including room and board ($20,283/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $58,680/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use California Institute of Technology's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for California Institute of Technology?

The undergraduate application fee at California Institute of Technology is $75. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does California Institute of Technology have college sports?

Yes — California Institute of Technology competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is California Institute of Technology the right fit for me?

Whether California Institute of Technology is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (3% admit rate), cost ($56,364/year out-of-state), campus culture in Pasadena, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh California Institute of Technology against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with California Institute of Technology directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Pasadena, CA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.
School Year Weather
Hot · 63°F avg
App Fee
$75
On Campus Safety Score
30/100
Nearest Airport
Burbank, CA (BUR) · 14 mialso HHR (19 mi), SMO (20 mi)

Location

Pasadena, CA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.