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Pasadena, CA · Private · Small · Suburban
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolling students
How much the school says contact matters
Deadlines, fees, testing policy, and recommendation requirements come from the Common App 2026-2027 First-Year Deadlines, Fees and Requirements file published August 28, 2026. Schools can still change a date after publication, so confirm anything you are close to with the school.
Rated Very important in the 2024-2025 Common Data Set this school published.
Admitted students who enroll
Reported by the school to IPEDS for fall 2023 admission.
Tuition, housing, food, and fees
Sticker figures. What a family actually pays depends on income and aid, which is what the financial aid tools are for.
| Major | Degrees | Graduates here | Same major nationally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 67 | - | $107,009 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 36 | - | $92,135 |
| Physics | 26 | - | $76,786 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 18 | - | $93,451 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 16 | - | $100,647 |
| Applied Mathematics | 14 | - | $91,532 |
| Mathematics | 11 | - | $69,562 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 9 | - | $62,451 |
Average net price paid by aided students in each family income band, after grants and scholarships. Usually far below the sticker price above.
Sources: this school's published Common Data Set, the Common App 2026-2027 member requirements file, and federal cost and outcomes data. See how our data works, or read the complete manual.
Add your GPA and test scores in Settings to see your estimated chances at California Institute of Technology.
Plan to submit either the SAT or the ACT.
Common App personal statement (650 words) + 3 supplementals
For exact prompts, check the school's admissions page or the Common App once writing opens (Aug 1).
Typical: 1 counselor + 2 teacher recommendations
Most selective colleges follow this pattern. Confirm exact requirements on the school's admissions site - some require a specific subject teacher (e.g., STEM programs may want a math/science rec).
When recommended, treat as required. Sign up early - alumni interview slots fill fast.
This school does not consider interest. Don't burn time on it - focus on the application itself.
$85
Fee waivers available if you qualify (Common App fee waiver, school waiver, or counselor request).
Sticker price means almost nothing. California Institute of Technology's Net Price Calculator estimates what you'll actually pay after merit and need-based aid. Takes 10 minutes; needs household income and assets, plus a few academic numbers.We don't have a confirmed URL for this school - the link below opens a search that almost always lands on the right page.
Open California Institute of Technology's Net Price CalculatorRead from California Institute of Technology's own admissions page on 2026-08-30 for the 2026-2027 cycle (source). Schools can still revise a prompt after publishing, so confirm before you submit.
Caltech asks for more supplemental writing than almost anyone: the academic interest answer, one of two Scholarly Character options, two of three Scientific Drive options, and the fun question. Five pieces in total, none longer than 200 words.
Why this area of interest
Required200 words“Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected “other”, what topics are you interested in pursuing?”
Start essay with this prompt →Scholarly character: collaboration
Optional200 wordsScholarly Character: choose one of two“Tell us about a time your learning in STEM was shaped by another person or group, either because you needed help, offered help, changed your thinking through collaboration, or contributed to someone else's understanding. What did that experience teach you about learning and working with others?”
Start essay with this prompt →Scholarly character: process
Optional200 wordsScholarly Character: choose one of two“Tell us about a time your approach to a STEM problem, concept, or project mattered as much as the outcome. How did you work through uncertainty or persist creatively in tackling the problem? What would you still defend about your process, regardless of the outcome?”
Start essay with this prompt →Scientific drive: learning
Optional200 wordsScientific Drive: choose two of three“Regardless of your STEM interest listed above, take this opportunity to nerd out and talk to us about whatever STEM rabbit hole you have found yourself falling into. Be as specific or broad as you would like.”
Start essay with this prompt →Scientific drive: pursuing
Optional200 wordsScientific Drive: choose two of three“Tell us about a STEM question, problem, idea, or project that has held your attention over time. What drew you to it, how have you pursued it, and what do you still want to understand?”
Start essay with this prompt →Scientific drive: making
Optional200 wordsScientific Drive: choose two of three“Tell us about something you created, tested, repaired, modeled, coded, built, or redesigned. What problem were you trying to solve and what did the process reveal to you?”
Start essay with this prompt →The fun question
Required150 words“What is something you would be excited to do, share, teach, make, start, or contribute as part of the Caltech community?”
Start essay with this prompt →Academic context
OptionalOptional“Is there anything about your academic preparation, coursework, school context, or learning experiences that would help us better understand your readiness for Caltech?”
Start essay with this prompt →Last verified 2026-08-30 · Cycle 2026-2027 · For the current cycle, double-check the school's admissions writing page.
This school explicitly does not consider demonstrated interest in admissions decisions. Don't spend time visiting, opening every email, or following on social purely for admissions. Those things won't move the needle here.
Where to spend time instead: the application itself. Strong essays, tight activities list, recommendations from teachers who know you well.
Research University
Yes
Co-op / Internship
Available
Est. Net Price (You)
$65,898
Based on "none" need
Sticker tuition
$65,898
Before aid
Total Estimated 4-Year Cost
$263,592
Out-of-state pricing with estimated aid
Greek Life
No
Study Abroad
8%
Religious Affiliation
None
Debt-to-Income
16.0%
Average debt against 10-year earnings
Est. 10-Year ROI
$858,408
(10yr earnings x 10) - 4yr cost
Deadline / RD: January 4, 2027
113 days remaining (RD)
Application Platform: Common App
Supplemental Essays: 3
Interview: Recommended
Recommendation letters needed
Test scores required
Get candid student reviews, rankings, and additional data from these sources:
Data from US Department of Education College Scorecard, National Center for Education Statistics, and institutional disclosures.
| Chemistry |
| 7 |
| - |
| $65,120 |
| Chemical Engineering | 7 | - | $98,158 |
| Materials Engineering | 6 | - | - |
| Biology, General | 5 | - | $57,214 |
Median earnings of this school's graduates in each major, roughly five years out, beside the national median for the same major.