The California Institute of Technology, a world-renowned science and engineering institute in Pasadena, California, brings together researchers, students, and innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions and pressing societal challenges.
California also offers international students many opportunities to explore. If you are considering Caltech, its acceptance rate can help you understand how selective the university is. Let’s get right to the details!
California Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate
According to Caltech’s latest published Common Data Set, 13,856 first-time, first-year students applied for fall 2024 admission, and 356 were admitted. This results in an acceptance rate of approximately 2.57%. The admitted group included 166 men and 190 women. These figures demonstrate the highly competitive nature of admission to Caltech.
Preparing for California Institute of Technology
Given the extremely low acceptance rate at Caltech, international students should carefully consider the application requirements, tuition costs, and scholarships when preparing their applications. This section will cover several of these components:
Admission Requirements
California Institute of Technology has rigorous admission requirements. Prospective international undergraduate applicants should carefully review the requirements that apply to them. First-year applicants must submit either SAT or ACT scores. International applicants must also submit English proficiency exam scores unless their native language is English or English is the primary language of instruction at their secondary school. Caltech accepts the Duolingo English Test, IELTS, and TOEFL. Requirements may differ for transfer and graduate applicants, so students should check the relevant admissions page before applying.
Tuition Fees
International students should plan their finances carefully before applying to Caltech. For the 2026-27 academic year, undergraduate tuition is $68,574, and mandatory fees are $2,655. Housing, meals, books, personal expenses, and other applicable costs are listed separately. Because costs may change each year, students should review the latest tuition information before submitting an application.
Scholarships
Caltech does not have a merit aid program. Its scholarships and grants are need-based, and the university states that it meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need of admitted students. However, Caltech is need-aware for international undergraduate applicants because the amount of financial aid available to international students is limited. International applicants who plan to request financial aid at any point during their undergraduate studies must generally apply for it when they submit their admission application. Students who do not apply for or receive financial aid in their first year generally cannot request it in later years.
Remember that an acceptance rate alone does not determine your eligibility to attend an excellent university. The discussion above offers helpful guidelines for preparing and submitting your application to the California Institute of Technology. Make sure to prepare and submit your required documents by the relevant application deadlines.
We hope this article on the California Institute of Technology’s acceptance rate was helpful. For more information about studying in the United States, make sure to check out the Guide to Studying in the USA and Available Programs for International Students.
