Acceptance rate of California Institute of Technology
The name Caltech resonates with students across the globe as one of the top tech universities in the world that provides an environment for students who are passionate about STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Caltech, located in Pasadena, California, is well known for its rigorous academics, pathbreaking research, and small student body consisting of just 1000 undergraduates. It sits on a 124-acre campus. Caltech is ranked #22 as per Forbes for the year 2025. Some of the most influential scientific discoveries and innovations have emerged from Caltech, which reinforces its reputation as a leader in research and education. One of the highlights is Caltech’s strong emphasis on undergraduate research that encourages students to work alongside faculty members, many of whom are Nobel laureates and pioneers in their respective fields. Among the notable alumni are
- Richard Feynman—Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965
- Linus Pauling won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962.
- Frank Oppenheimer—American particle physicist
- Frances Arnold, Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2018 (American chemical engineer) The list is exhaustive.
A Guide To The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Ivy Central
Changing Trends
From the start, Caltech has always been regarded as a university that is highly selective. The university’s acceptance rate in recent years has dipped even further, thereby making it one of the most difficult schools to be admitted to. Its competitiveness can be gleaned from the fact that for the Class of 2028, Caltech admitted only about 3% of applicants. This is phenomenally low, which reiterates its increasing selectivity. The acceptance rate was a meager 2.03% for the Class of 2027. Of the 13,136 applicants, only 267 were admitted, showcasing the university’s rigorous admissions standards and its commitment to attracting and enrolling the brightest minds from around the world. While Caltech does not release information on average GPA, we can safely assume that admitted students have an unweighted 4.0 (or very close to it) earned within a full roster of AP/IB courses.
Geographical Diversity
The gender distribution is quite balanced, with 42% identifying as female and 58% identifying as male. These students come from diverse backgrounds, hailing from 39 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, 31 countries, and six continents.
Standardized Testing Policy
For the 2024-25 admissions cycle, Caltech has taken the decision to reinstate standardized testing that is a part of the recommendation from the faculty Advisory Committee on Undergraduate Admissions Policy. According to the admissions officers and faculty, standardized testing provides them with useful information about academic preparedness. This is viewed in the context of the holistic approach that the committee considers for all prospective students. Being a STEM-dedicated university, students are expected to demonstrate strong academic credentials, which the admissions officers view in the decision-making process. Even when Caltech was test-optional, it was observed that nearly 95% of the students submitted their test scores.
Student Diversity
Approximately 45% of Caltech’s undergraduate population identifies as female, and 54% as males. Notably, the population of Asian students and Whites is nearly at par, with 43.6% identifying as Asians and 45.1% as Whites. The international cohort is 9%.
Competitiveness
The challenging curriculum of Caltech pushes the intellectual limits of its students. Having access to world-class faculty and research facilities, students are well-prepared for careers in academia and industry. The unique feature, The Honor Code—that is an integral part of Caltech’s culture—allows students to take exams in self-scheduled, unproctored settings, emphasizing trust and integrity.” Caltech partners with 13 liberal arts colleges for its 3/2 program, where students are able to earn 2 degrees in five years. The main reason for Caltech to start the program was to give students a strong liberal arts and sciences background along with the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in science. Additionally, Caltech’s core curriculum prepares students for the interdisciplinary nature of science and engineering by requiring an understanding of the basic sciences, mathematics, the humanities, and the social sciences.
Caltech mentions explicitly what they are looking for. This makes it easy for students to immediately know if they are a right fit for the university or not. Students have to demonstrate not only love but tremendous passion for math since there is a lot of math that they study. Additionally, a passion for chemistry and physics and an appreciation for humanities and social sciences. What We Look For—Undergraduate Admissions. Preparing your profile and tailoring it to Caltech will be important if you want to be considered for a seat at Caltech.
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