Caltech Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

California Institute of Technology is one of the leading universities in the USA. It is extremely competitive to gain admission to. The acceptance rate of California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is 3.92%. This means that only 4 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

With one of the lowest acceptance rates in the US, you need to excel in every aspect to be selected. Your GPA, IB, AP, SAT, and ACT scores should be in the top range to have a chance. We have listed all the requirements and score ranges you need to get into California Institute of Technology so you can prepare yourself well in advance. Meeting their general GPA and test (SAT/ACT) requirements is crucial because without these, you won't proceed to the second round of admission processing. These requirements act as automatic filters, so failing to meet them makes your chance of getting in nearly zero.

Note that admission staff look beyond academic performance. Not only should your GPA and other scores be in the top range, but your personality, aptitude, and interpersonal communication skills also play an important role. Participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, community events, leadership activities, and your capacity to play leadership roles are also significant.

California Institute of Technology Admission Requirements

Caltech GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at Caltech is 4.19. It means that Caltech is very selective in terms of GPA of the students. (Most schools report a weighted GPA, which is out of 4.0. However, some schools may use unweighted GPA. For exact information, contact the school admission staff).

With an average GPA of 4.19, Caltech requires you to be near the top of your class. You need to score mostly A's in all classes to have good chances of admission. A couple of B's will not hurt you much, but more B's will put you in the lower category of the students. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability. More specifically, your AP and IB courses must be related to the area of your selected course of study. For example, if you are planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus and physics will help you.

If your GPA is less than 4.19 and higher than 3.89 then you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need to have a minimum of 3.79 GPA, to secure admission at Caltech. Below this, chances of admission will be very slim.

Can I Get Into Caltech Without SAT Or ACT?: California Institute of Technology requires test (SAT/ACT) scores to determine the merit for admission. It means that students will not be allowed to apply without test scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test for 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Caltech Profile

Name: California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

City: Pasadena

URL: www.caltech.edu/

State: California

Type: Non-Profit Private

Zip: 91125

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)

Does a degree from Caltech Worth It?

Getting into Caltech can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Caltech offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision. Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Caltech is USD: 81448.64 and unemployment rate is 3.14%.

How much a degree from Caltech Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at California Institute of Technology is USD: 77718. As most of the students receive Pell grants and Federal Grant the average annual net price a student has to pay at California Institute of Technology is much less than this.

How can I get a scholarship?

11.54% of the students are receiving Pell grants and 3.88 percent are receiving federal grants. So it is a better choice to go to Caltech and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At California Institute of Technology, you will have no problem in receiving any scholarship form federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Caltech as your choice in the form.

How much a Caltech Graduate makes?

The average annual salary of the Caltech graduate after 4-6 year of graduation is USD 104209. An average Caltech graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 36834

Degree Programs

Bachelor Programs

Full list of All degree programs offered by California Institute of Technology.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, US Department of Education, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.