California Institute of Technology: Courses & Rankings

Founded in 1891, the California Institute of Technology (commonly known as Caltech) is a world-renowned science and engineering research and education institution.  With only 2,430 students, you’ll be in an intimate academic environment where faculty-to-student ratios are incredibly favorable. This means personalized education that few other top research universities can match.

As one of the best science universities USA has to offer, Caltech is committed to advancing human knowledge and benefiting society through research integrated with education. You’ll be surrounded by brilliant minds working on cutting-edge research in fields from quantum science to climate studies.

Why Choose California Institute of Technology?

Choosing Caltech means joining one of the most elite scientific communities in the world. Here’s why Caltech might be for you:

1. Unbeatable faculty access: 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio means direct mentorship from leading scientists.
2. Research from day one: Unlike many other top engineering schools USA, Caltech encourages undergrads to get involved in real research early.
3. Collaborative culture: Despite the competitive admissions, the internal culture is collaborative, not competitive.
4. Connections to industry leaders: Caltech’s reputation and network get you connected to top tech and science companies.
5. Global impact: Your work at Caltech could help solve the world’s biggest problems.
   As one of the best science universities USA has produced, Caltech prepares you not just for a career, but for scientific leadership.

Caltech Ranking: How Does It Compare?

When it comes to Caltech ranking, the numbers speak for themselves:

Caltech Majors: What Can You Study?

At the California Institute of Technology, you’ll find a strong focus on STEM fields. The institution offers several Caltech majors across six academic divisions. Here are the popular courses at Caltech.

1. Division of Biology and Biological Engineering

• Bioengineering
• Biology
• Computation and Neural Systems
• Neurobiology

2. Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry

3. Division of Engineering and Applied Science

• Aeronautics
• Applied and Computational Mathematics
• Applied Mechanics
• Applied Physics
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science

4. Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences

• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Geobiology
• Geochemistry
• Geology
• Geophysics
• Planetary Science

5. Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences

• Social and Decision Neuroscience
• Social Science

6. Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy

• Astrophysics
• Mathematics
• Physics

The aerospace engineering programs USA at Caltech are particularly renowned, with deep connections to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which Caltech manages for NASA.

Caltech Admissions Requirements

Gaining admission to the California Institute of Technology is highly competitive. The Caltech admissions process looks for students who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in mathematics and science. The basic entry requirements are given below:

Caltech 2025-2026 Cost of Attendance

Attending one of the best science universities USA offers comes with a significant financial investment. Here is a detailed breakdown of the Caltech tuition and costs

1. Undergraduate Course

The chart below lists the estimated full-time cost of attendance for the students who have enrolled for the 2025-26 school year.

2. Graduate Course

Graduate course costing is slightly different from undergraduate courses. Tuition fees and estimated living expenses also affect your cost of living in USA.

Here’s the list of the housing pricing on the campus:

California Institute of Technology Scholarships

While the Caltech tuition may seem daunting, the institution is committed to making education accessible through generous financial aid. 

• Average grant aid for fall 2024 incoming class: just under USD 73,000
• Average loan indebtedness for Class of 2023: approximately USD 16,000
• Families earning under USD 200,000 (with typical assets): aid packages typically cover tuition
• Families earning under USD 100,000 (with typical assets) typically receive no-loan packages covering tuition, fees, housing, and food. 

Here are commonly available scholarships at the California Institute of Technology.

The California Institute of Technology strives to ensure that qualified students can attend regardless of financial circumstances. You’re encouraged to apply for financial aid even if you’re unsure of eligibility. You can also visit the AmberScholar page for more scholarship options.

How to Apply to California Institute of Technology

The application process for Caltech admissions involves several steps:

1. Get ready academically: Take the toughest STEM classes at your school.
2. Build your profile: Do meaningful extracurriculars related to your scientific interests.
3. Testing: Check the testing policies and prepare.
4. Apply: Apply through the Common App or QuestBridge Application.
5. Supplemental materials: Fill out Caltech essays and provide recs.
6. Financial aid: Submit FAFSA and CSS Profile if applying for aid.
7. Interview: If offered, do an alumni interview.

For detailed guidance on crafting a competitive application to one of the top engineering schools USA, consider reviewing successful application strategies.

Career Prospects after California Institute of Technology

Caltech’s Career, Achievement, Leadership, and Exploration (CALE) office provides support from your first year. It includes career counselling and bi-annual fairs with 150+ recruiters. This means great outcomes: 43% of the Class of 2023 went on to top graduate programs like Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, and 44% to full-time employment. Caltech grads have a median starting salary range of USD 110,000 – USD 119,000—nearly double the national average for college grads and way higher than typical STEM salaries.  Among all courses, the aerospace engineering programs USA at Caltech have direct pipelines to companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and NASA facilities nationwide. When you graduate, you’ll join a network of 24,000+ alumni worldwide working at places like SpaceX and Meta, top research labs and top graduate programs, so your Caltech degree is very marketable.

Housing at California Institute of Technology

Despite the academics, Caltech balances it all through:

• 100+ student clubs
• Performing and visual arts opportunities
• NCAA Division III sports
• Community engagement through Caltech Y
• Wellness resources, including Peer Advocates

Caltech’s eight undergraduate Houses each have their traditions, from Fleming’s cannon to Dabney’s liquid nitrogen pumpkin drop on Halloween. The “Rotation” process lets first-years try out before choosing their preferred residence. Rather than the college campus, you have many housing options near Caltech. Need a place to live while studying at Caltech? amber has easy, verified housing options near campus. Get your perfect student home today and focus on your exciting Caltech education!