California Institute of Technology

Private

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology is a private very small school in Pasadena, CA, enrolling about 987 undergraduates. California Institute of Technology is highly selective, with an acceptance rate near 3%. Among reported majors, Computer Science shows the strongest outcomes -- $200,511/year in median earnings four years after graduation. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.

Admissions

Admit rate3%

SAT rangeNot reported

ACT rangeNot reported

Undergrads987

Yield (admits who enroll)50%

Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (EA)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$86,886

4-year grad rate94%

Median earnings, 10yr out$128,566

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against California Institute of Technology's numbers?

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How California Institute of Technology weighs your application

From California Institute of Technology's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors

Rigor of secondary school recordVery important

Class rankImportant

Academic GPAImportant

Standardized test scoresVery important

Application essayVery important

RecommendationsVery important

Nonacademic factors

InterviewNot considered

Extracurricular activitiesImportant

Talent/abilityConsidered

Character/personal qualitiesVery important

First generationConsidered

Alumni relation (legacy)Not considered

Geographical residenceConsidered

State residencyNot considered

Religious affiliationNot considered

Volunteer workConsidered

Work experienceConsidered

Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered

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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans4%

Loan balance still growing, 3yrs outNot reported

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Computer Science$200,511/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes

Required to live on campusNo

Dormitory capacity1,572

Typical room charge$10,815

Typical board charge$7,791

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPAConsidered, not required

Class rankConsidered, not required

RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does California Institute of Technology look for in applicants?

Per California Institute of Technology's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, standardized test scores, application essay, recommendations, character/personal qualities as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is California Institute of Technology's acceptance rate?

California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA admits approximately 3% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

How much does California Institute of Technology cost?

California Institute of Technology's total cost of attendance is reported at $86,886 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for California Institute of Technology?

California Institute of Technology's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does California Institute of Technology require students to live on campus?

No -- California Institute of Technology doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.