Overview
Founded in 1891 as Throop University and reorganized into Caltech in 1920, the institute rose to prominence through its close ties to aerospace, physics, and engineering research, including the founding of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory which it manages for NASA. Caltech has produced an extraordinary number of Nobel laureates relative to its size and is consistently ranked among the world's top universities for science and engineering. It is renowned for pioneering work in astrophysics, quantum science, molecular biology, and planetary science.
At a Glance
| Type | Private Research |
| Location | Pasadena, California |
| Founded | 1891 |
| Total students | 2,400 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 3:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 3% |
| Graduation rate | 94% |
| Average starting salary | $87,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $63,255 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $63,255 |
| Room & board | $21,027 |
| Average financial aid | $52,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 60% |
Admissions
| SAT range | 1530-1580 |
| ACT range | 35-36 |
| Average GPA | 4.0 |
| Regular deadline | January 3 |
Top Programs
- Physics
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Aerospace Engineering
- Astrophysics
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.