California Institute of Technology

Overview

Acronyms: Caltech

Founded: 1891

Control Type: Private

Entity Type: Non-profit

World Rank: #175

Rank in United States: #44

Motto: The Truth Shall Make You Free. (John 8:32)

Colours: Orange and white

Mascot: Beaver

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Established in 1891, the California Institute of Technology is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Pasadena (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), California.

Officially accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a small-sized coeducational US higher education institution. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 133-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 0-9% making this US higher education organization an extremely selective institution.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

Caltech also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

California Institute of Technology's coordinates, postal address, and the contact channels admissions teams respond on. Campus tour bookings often have their own page distinct from general contact channels.

Academic Details

The numbers below cover the academic side of California Institute of Technology. Academic calendar conventions vary — semester, trimester, or quarter systems each carry different teaching rhythms.

Academic Structures

The institutional units housing California Institute of Technology's programmes. Subject overlap across faculties is normal — interdisciplinary fields like data science or environmental studies often span multiple units.

Programs Offered

Every programme California Institute of Technology offers, searchable by name and grouped by level. Pathway programmes leading from foundation to bachelor entry are sometimes listed separately from full degree programmes.

How to apply to California Institute of Technology

How to apply to California Institute of Technology — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.

1. 1
   Research programmes at California Institute of Technology

   Use the programme finder to browse California Institute of Technology's 84 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

2. 2
   Review admissions criteria

   Programme-level requirements at California Institute of Technology typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

3. 3
   Gather supporting documents

   Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

4. 4
   Lodge your application

   California Institute of Technology processes applications through www.caltech.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

5. 5
   Confirm receipt and track progress

   Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (626) 395 6811. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about California Institute of Technology

Short Q&A on the institutional facts that matter most when shortlisting California Institute of Technology as a study destination.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

The leading universities in the United States are listed below — useful for sizing California Institute of Technology against the country's top tier. Top-tier institutions in the United States typically set admissions standards that downstream universities track.

Harvard University

Cambridge · Private · Rank #1

Stanford University

Stanford · Private · Rank #8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore · Private · Rank #13

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge · Private · Rank #16

University of Washington

Seattle · Public · Rank #19

Members of Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)

Faculty mobility within Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) networks often signals shared standards. Faculty members frequently move between California Institute of Technology and the institutions below over the course of careers.

Zhejiang University

Hangzhou · Public · Rank #3

Tsinghua University

Beijing · Public · Rank #4

Peking University

Beijing · Public · Rank #6

Fudan University

Shanghai · Public · Rank #20

National University of Singapore

Singapore · Public · Rank #24

Faculties at Nearby Universities

If you're weighing California Institute of Technology against other institutions in the area, these neighbouring universities offer overlapping faculties and similar admissions cycles. They are useful for shortlisting based on travel distance or campus environment.

ArtCenter College of Design

Pasadena · Private · Est. 1930

Pacific Oaks College

Pasadena · Private · Est. 1945

Saybrook University

Pasadena · Private · Est. 1971

Providence Christian College

Pasadena · Private · Est. 2002

PA

Pasadena City College

Pasadena · Public · Est. 1924

Where Else to Study General Engineering

Beyond California Institute of Technology, several other universities in the United States deliver focused General Engineering programmes worth exploring before you commit to a single application. Programme depth and elective range vary significantly between institutions.

Cornell University

Ithaca · Private · Rank #25

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley · Public · Rank #41

Duke University

Durham · Private · Rank #48

New York University

New York City · Private · Rank #49

University of Chicago

Chicago · Private · Rank #53

Universities Often Compared with California Institute of Technology

Joint research consortia among universities at California Institute of Technology's level — shared grants, co-supervision arrangements — make peer institutions natural collaborators rather than just competitors.

University of Virginia

Charlottesville · Public · Rank #176

Michigan State University

East Lansing · Public · Rank #173

North Carolina State University

Raleigh · Public · Rank #184

The University of Arizona

Tucson · Public · Rank #164

University of Colorado Denver

Denver · Public · Rank #194