California Institute of Technology

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a private nonprofit research university in Pasadena built around science, engineering, and discovery. Its small, academically intense environment puts undergraduates close to faculty-led research: Caltech says nine out of ten students conduct research regardless of major. This is a particularly strong fit for students who want deep work in mathematics, physics, computing, engineering, biology, chemistry, astronomy, or related fields. The pace and workload are demanding, so a campus visit and conversations with current students can help applicants decide whether that close-knit, high-pressure setting is right for them.

Study options and the first-year experience

Caltech has six academic divisions and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral study. Undergraduate “options” include applied and computational mathematics, astrophysics, bioengineering, biology, chemical engineering, chemistry, computer science, economics, electrical engineering, environmental science and engineering, geological and planetary sciences, information and data sciences, materials science, mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics, and humanities and social sciences. First-year undergraduates share a common core for their first two terms and choose a major at the end of the first year. The Interdisciplinary Studies Program lets students design a faculty-supervised course of study when their goals cross existing majors. Graduate offerings are organized by Caltech’s divisions and research programs; the academic catalog and program pages are the place to check degree-level availability and requirements.

Admissions, cost, and financial aid

For first-year applicants seeking Fall 2027 entry, Caltech lists November 1, 2026 for Restrictive Early Action and January 4, 2027 for Regular Decision. Its admissions process is exceptionally selective, and applicants should review the required math and science preparation and application materials well before the deadline. Caltech’s application page also describes QuestBridge and transfer routes.

For 2026–27, the estimated annual direct cost for a full-time undergraduate living in Caltech housing is $93,225: $68,574 tuition, $2,655 fees, $12,711 housing, and $9,285 food. Books and personal expenses add an estimated $5,397; the student health plan is listed separately at $5,388 if needed. Caltech’s financial aid is based on need, not merit. It says it is need-blind for domestic applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students who apply for aid; international applicants are need-aware because funding is limited. Packages may combine grants and scholarships, work-study, and loans. Caltech reports average grant aid of just under $69,000 for the incoming Fall 2026 class, but an individual award depends on a family’s finances. Review the official financial aid and affordability guide and application information before estimating what your family would pay.

Accreditation and research environment

Caltech is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which lists its active main campus in Pasadena and classifies the institute as nonprofit. Caltech’s research ecosystem extends well beyond the undergraduate classroom: students can pursue faculty research, including the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships program, while graduate students apply through their chosen academic division. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a NASA federally funded research and development center managed by Caltech; it is a separate work and research site, not a second general-purpose student campus. Check the WSCUC record and the relevant division’s current research and degree pages for program-specific details.

What students say

Student comments commonly praise the collaborative house community, close access to research and faculty, and peers who share an intense interest in science and technology. The same reviews also describe a heavy workload and mention concerns such as limited support for athletics or dining quality. Experiences differ by house, major, and year; applicants should ask current students how the workload, advising, wellness resources, and social life work in practice. The student review page offers more individual perspectives.

Pasadena campus and contact

Caltech’s main campus is at 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125; the main telephone number is (626) 395-6811. The Undergraduate Admissions Office receives in-person visitors at 383 South Hill Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106, and publishes office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The admissions office asks prospective visitors to arrange a visit through its campus events page. Caltech’s official channels include Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.