Campus Vibe
Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings
California Institute of Technology is a private institution in Pasadena with particular strength in engineering and computer science.
A small campus of 1K undergraduates with a 3:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
93% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $128,566 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,902.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
California Institute of Technology Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
96.4%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$12,000
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
8
Peer Average
13
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (82)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
98%
- •98% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •1897–1900s Caltech started as a vocational school founded in present-day Old Pasadena on Fair Oaks Avenue and Chestnut Street on September 23, 1891, by local businessman and politician Amos G.
- •The school was known successively as Throop University, Throop Polytechnic Institute (and Manual Training School) and Throop College of Technology before acquiring its current name in 1920.
- •The vocational school was disbanded and the preparatory program was split off to form the independent Polytechnic School in 1907.
- •At a time when scientific research in the United States was still in its infancy, George Ellery Hale, a solar astronomer from the University of Chicago, founded the Mount Wilson Observatory in 1904.
- •He joined Throop's board of trustees in 1907, and soon began developing the university, and the whole of Pasadena, into a major scientific and cultural destination.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
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