College Profiles/ California Institute of Technology
College Profile · Fall 2027 Entry
California Institute of Technology Admissions: Acceptance Rate, Cost, Financial Aid and Deadlines
Pasadena, CA · 971 undergraduates. Everything families need to apply to California Institute of Technology for fall 2027, verified against the school’s own Common Data Set, cost of attendance and admissions pages, with ConnectPrep’s strategic read.
By Jeremy Fine, Founder of ConnectPrep
Updated October 11, 2026 · Data verified against official sources
✓ Every figure cited
Quick answer
California Institute of Technology admitted 2.6% of first-year applicants.[1] The 2026-2027 cost of attendance is $98,622.[2] First-year students who received need-based aid got an average grant of $66,645.[3] For fall 2027 entry, deadlines are Restrictive Early Action Nov 1, Regular Decision Jan 4.[4]
2.6%
Overall admit rate[1]
35 to 36
Middle 50% ACT[3]
$98,622
Cost of attendance, 2026-2027[2]
$66,645
Average need-based grant[3]
$4.4B
Endowment, FY2025[5]
89.8%
Six-year graduation rate[3]
California Institute of Technology at a Glance
- Location
- Pasadena, CA
- Type
- Private nonprofit
- Student to faculty ratio
- 3:1[1]
- Endowment
- $4.4 billion (FY2025)[5]
- SAT/ACT, fall 2027
- Required (SAT or ACT, Fall 2027)[4]
- Application
- Common App, QuestBridge[4]
- First-year retention
- 96.0%[3]
The ConnectPrep Take on California Institute of Technology
The ConnectPrep take
Caltech is small, 971 undergraduates, and it admits for a clear purpose. It looks for strong performance in a rigorous college preparatory program, a demonstrated interest in math, science, or engineering, and personal characteristics, and it says essays are an important part of the decision. Restrictive Early Action closes Nov 1 and is nonbinding, so it suits a student whose record is already complete by fall. The SAT or ACT is required and Caltech groups scores into buckets. With a middle 50% ACT of 35 to 36, a 36 is the target. Students choose from 26 options across six divisions. The common mistake is assuming the test can wait: testing must be completed by Nov 30 for REA or Dec 31 for Regular Decision.
What to do this fall
- Book an SAT or ACT that finishes by Nov 30 for REA or Dec 31 for Regular Decision.
- Upload any research papers or portfolios by Nov 6 for REA or Jan 10 for Regular Decision.
- Use the essays to show sustained interest in math, science, or engineering, since Caltech calls essays important.
- REA families should file the FAFSA and CSS Profile by Nov 15 and tax documents by Dec 15.
Applying to California Institute of Technology? Get a free strategy session. We map your student’s round, testing plan, essays and every scholarship deadline for this school.
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California Institute of Technology Admissions Statistics
Testing and academic profile
| Academic profile of enrolled first-years |
Middle 50% or share |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing[3] |
760 to 780 |
| SAT Math[3] |
790 to 800 |
| ACT composite[3] |
35 to 36 |
| Enrolled students who submitted the SAT[3] |
78% |
| Enrolled students who submitted the ACT[3] |
22% |
The admit rate on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, which reports an earlier entering class than the school’s newest Common Data Set.[1]
ConnectPrep score target
Aim for 780 in Reading and Writing and 800 in Math, the 75th percentile for each section here, or 36 on the ACT. A higher score is always better, and the test can be retaken. Not there yet? Take a free practice test and we will build the plan to close the gap.
What California Institute of Technology looks for
In its own words: Caltech says admission rests on strong academic performance in a rigorous college preparatory program, a strong demonstrated interest in math, science, or engineering, and personal characteristics, and that essays are an important part of the decision.[7]
California Institute of Technology Application Deadlines 2026-2027
| Round |
Deadline |
Decision |
| Restrictive Early Action |
Nov 1 |
mid-Dec |
| Regular Decision |
Jan 4 |
mid-Mar |
Insider deadlines families miss
These scholarship, honors, program, interview and aid deadlines come from California Institute of Technology’s own pages. Anything tagged Before RD is due before the Regular Decision deadline.
| Program or rule |
Deadline |
What to know |
| Required and supplemental materials |
Nov 6 (REA); Jan 10 (RD) |
Supplemental materials such as research papers or portfolios are due a few days after the application deadline; testing must be completed by Nov 30 (REA) or Dec 31 (RD).[4] |
| REA financial aid |
Nov 15 (REA) |
REA applicants file FAFSA and CSS Profile by Nov 15, with tax documents by Dec 15; RD applicants submit the CSS Profile after the admission decision. Date from 2025-26 page.[8] |
See how California Institute of Technology compares with other colleges in the West deadlines database or the full 2026-2027 college application deadlines hub.
California Institute of Technology Cost and Financial Aid
| Cost and aid |
Figure |
| Cost of attendance (2026-2027)[2] |
$98,622 |
| Tuition[2] |
$68,574 |
| First-years awarded need-based aid[3] |
41.9% |
| Average need-based scholarship or grant[3] |
$66,645 |
| Average total financial aid package[3] |
$69,491 |
| Average share of need met[3] |
100.0% |
Caltech-owned housing.[2]
- For a family that qualifies for need-based aid, the average grant would bring the $98,622 cost of attendance down to roughly $31,977 before loans and work-study. This is a ConnectPrep calculation for illustration; your student’s number depends on your family’s finances, so run the school’s net price calculator.
- California Institute of Technology states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.[9]
- Most students from families making less than $200,000 (typical assets) can expect aid covering tuition; under $100,000 can expect a no-loan package.[9]
- International students: "We are need-aware for international students" because aid funds are limited; Caltech meets the demonstrated need of all admitted students.[9]
What families actually pay: net price by income
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus the average grants and scholarships for first-year students receiving aid, by family income. It comes from federal data, which runs a year or two behind the school’s current cost figures.[1]
| Family income |
Average net price per year |
| $0 to $30,000 |
$0 (aid exceeded cost) |
| $30,001 to $48,000 |
$0 (aid exceeded cost) |
| $48,001 to $75,000 |
$431 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 |
$18,753 |
| Over $110,000 |
$54,157 |
| All aided students |
$16,075 |
Academics and Majors at California Institute of Technology
Signature programs
Core Institute Requirements
Every student completes a core in mathematics, basic sciences, humanities, and social sciences, built for the interdisciplinary nature of science and engineering.[10]
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)
A 10-week summer research program and the main vehicle for the 91 percent of undergraduates who do research.[11]
JPL and NASA research programs
Undergraduates can do research with Caltech-managed Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA programs.[12]
Honor Code
A campus-wide honor code (no member shall take unfair advantage of another) shapes exams and community life.[6]
Choosing a major and getting in
[6]
California Institute of Technology Retention and Graduation Rates
| Outcome |
Figure |
| First-year students who returned for sophomore year[3] |
96.0% |
| Graduated within four years[3] |
77.4% |
| Graduated within six years[3] |
89.8% |
| Median earnings 10 years after starting college[1] |
$128,566 |
| Undergraduates receiving Pell Grants[1] |
18% |
Make California Institute of Technology a realistic goal
ConnectPrep builds the full plan: the right round, a score target and test schedule, essays that sound like your student, and every scholarship and program deadline on one calendar. Start with a free consultation or a free practice test.
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California Institute of Technology FAQs
What is the California Institute of Technology acceptance rate?
California Institute of Technology admitted 2.6% of first-year applicants.
When are the California Institute of Technology application deadlines for 2026-27?
For students entering in fall 2027: Restrictive Early Action Nov 1; Regular Decision Jan 4.
How much does California Institute of Technology cost?
The 2026-2027 cost of attendance is $98,622. First-year students who received need-based aid got an average grant of $66,645. The school states it meets 100% of demonstrated need.
Does Caltech require the SAT or ACT?
Yes. Caltech requires first-year applicants to submit either the SAT or the ACT, and it also requests AP or IB scores if taken. The middle 50% ACT among enrolled students is 35 to 36. Testing must be completed by Nov 30 for Restrictive Early Action or Dec 31 for Regular Decision, so plan a fall sitting with time for a retake.
Is Caltech need-blind for international students?
No. Caltech says it is need-aware for international students because aid funds are limited, though it meets the demonstrated need of all admitted students. Most students from families making less than $200,000 with typical assets can expect aid covering tuition, and those under $100,000 can expect a no-loan package.
About the author
Jeremy Fine
Jeremy Fine founded ConnectPrep in 2013 and brings more than 20 years of experience in education, spanning test preparation, college advising and academic program management. He holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh.
ConnectPrep is based in Westport, Connecticut, and works with students from kindergarten through graduate school, in person and online. Meet the team.
This profile is an independent ConnectPrep resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by California Institute of Technology. Figures come from the sources listed above as published when checked in October 2026; the Common Data Set year is noted where used. Policies and costs change, so confirm with the school before applying.
