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California Institute of Technology acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost
Also known as Caltech
California Institute of Technology accepts 3% of applicants. It is a private university in Pasadena, California, with about 987 undergraduates. The sticker price is $89,199 a year, but after aid the average family pays $8,509.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need for Caltech?
Even with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Admitly estimates a typical applicant has about a 2% chance, so a top GPA is expected and the rest of the application decides most outcomes.
The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.
Chances of getting into California Institute of Technology by GPA
California Institute of Technology does not consider SAT or ACT scores, so these chances assume no test score. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
| GPA | Estimated chance |
|---|---|
| 3.0 | 1% Reach |
| 3.3 | 1% Reach |
| 3.5 | 1% Reach |
| 3.7 | 1% Reach |
| 3.9 | 1% Reach |
| 4.0 | 2% Reach |
Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.
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Check my chancesWhat families actually pay at California Institute of Technology
Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $89,199 a year including room and board.
| Family income | Cost per year |
|---|---|
| Under $50k | $4,500 |
| $50k – $100k | $4,500 |
| $100k – $150k | $29,800 |
| $150k – $250k | $11,700 |
| Over $250k | $14,900 |
Outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
Common questions about California Institute of Technology
What is the acceptance rate at California Institute of Technology?
California Institute of Technology admits 3% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need to get into California Institute of Technology?
Even with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Admitly estimates a typical applicant has about a 2% chance, so a top GPA is expected and the rest of the application decides most outcomes. This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores (not considered here), activities and essays all matter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for California Institute of Technology?
California Institute of Technology does not consider SAT or ACT scores.
How much does California Institute of Technology cost after financial aid?
The sticker price is $89,199 a year including room and board, but the average family pays $8,509 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $4,500.
What is the graduation rate at California Institute of Technology?
90% of students finish their degree, and 97% return for a second year.
Colleges similar to California Institute of Technology
- Stanford UniversityStanford, CA · admits 4%
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA · admits 10%
- University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · admits 9%
- Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA · admits 4%
- Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · admits 4%
- Columbia UniversityNew York, NY · admits 4%