Small, intense, and incredibly impactful. A world-renowned science and engineering institute marshaling human knowledge to address society's most difficult challenges.
Total Students
Nobel Laureates
Student-Faculty Ratio
Manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab
Caltech is for those who love science for science's sake. It offers a rigorous "Core Curriculum" that ensures every student masters math, physics, and chemistry.
With fewer than 1,000 undergraduates, Caltech offers an intimate community where you will know almost everyone and have direct access to professors.
Caltech manages JPL for NASA. Students have unique opportunities to work on robotic space missions and planetary science projects.
Despite its small size, Caltech consistently ranks #1 in the world for the impact of its research (citations per faculty member).
"No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member." This allows for take-home exams and high trust.
Similar to Harry Potter, undergraduates live in 8 houses, each with unique traditions, dining, and social cultures that last a lifetime.
Most popular major; focuses on algorithmic thinking
World-famous program (think Feynman & Hawking)
Systems, robotics, and devices
Design, mechanics, and thermal systems
Applying engineering principles to biological systems
Extremely rigorous pure and applied math
Process systems and materials science
Access to Palomar and Keck Observatories
Unique interdisciplinary brain science major
GPS Division is a global leader in earth sciences
Quantum information, particle physics, gravity
Chemical biology, catalysis, and materials
Cellular, molecular, and developmental bio
Signal processing, control, and photonics
Aeronautics and space structures (GALCIT)
Applied mathematics and computational science
Highly quantitative economics and finance
Nanotechnology and advanced materials
Atmospheric science and climate dynamics
Synthetic biology and medical devices
Caltech is need-blind for US citizens and permanent residents. Admission decisions are made without looking at financial status.
Caltech guarantees to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all admitted students (including international students).
Financial aid is available for international students, but admission is "need-aware" (very competitive for those asking for aid).
Caltech does not offer scholarships based on academic merit or athletics. All aid is strictly based on financial need.
~99% of doctoral students receive full financial support, including tuition remission and a stipend for living expenses.
Opportunities to work in labs, libraries, or dining services to help cover personal expenses.
Caltech operates the Palomar Observatory and the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, giving students access to world-class astronomy tools.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded R&D center managed by Caltech, located just a few miles from campus.
The Caltech Seismo Lab is a global leader in earthquake science and geophysics research.
A center for interdisciplinary research in the chemical and biological sciences, fostering collaboration across fields.
The "Gene Pool" and the Turtle Pond are serene spots on campus (and the site of many student traditions and pranks).
The central social hub for coffee and collaboration, where students and Nobel laureates often bump into each other.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) allow students to conduct independent research under faculty mentors. Over 50% of students participate.
A hub for AWS Center for Quantum Computing and heavy research into quantum information and matter.
The Resnick Sustainability Institute fosters research into energy generation, storage, and conversion.
Pioneering work in synthetic biology, neural engineering, and medical diagnostics.
The Tectonics Observatory researches the geological evolution of the Earth and other planets.
Caltech co-founded LIGO, the observatory that detected gravitational waves, confirming Einstein's prediction.
Admission to Caltech requires more than just good grades. It requires a demonstrated passion for scientific discovery. Let us help you prove it.