What's New in CalTech?
18 June 2025: California Institute of Technology has released its 2025–26 graduate fees structure. The Annual total is $68,001 (~₹58.9 Lakhs).
Per term breakdown (Fall/Winter/Spring):
- Tuition: $21,874 (~₹18.9 Lakhs)
- Mandatory Fees: $793 (~₹68,600)
- Term cost: $22,667 (~₹19.6 Lakhs). Check programs
California Institute of Technology admits students for one intake per year, with the Fall term (September) being the only entry point for undergraduate and graduate programs. Caltech does not offer Spring or Summer admission intakes.
Undergraduate admissions are conducted through the following:
- Restrictive Early Action (REA) is a non-binding option for students who consider Caltech their first-choice institution and wish to receive an early admission decision.
- Regular Decision serves as Caltech’s primary admission route, with the majority of admitted students applying through this cycle.
UG admission deadlines (tentative): Restrictive Early Action: 1 November 2026 | Regular Decision: early January 2027
PG admission deadlines: Program-specific, via individual academic departments
Graduate admissions at Caltech are department-driven. The application deadlines typically fall between mid-November and mid-December. Indian applicants must meet academic requirements. Undergraduate applicants are expected to have completed Class 12 (CBSE/ ISC/ State Boards) with a strong foundation in mathematics and science. Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with strong academic performance. English proficiency requirements are course-specific, with accepted tests including TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test.
Applicants are required to submit official transcripts, essays or statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, and other program-specific materials as part of the evaluation process.
- Caltech Admission Deadlines for Graduate Students
- Caltech Admission Deadlines for Undergraduate Students
- California Institute of Technology Popular Courses
- California Institute of Technology Admission Requirements for Indian Students
- California Institute of Technology Admission Process
5.1 Application Steps for UG Admission
- California Institute of Technology Admission Decisions
6.1 Undergraduate Admission Decision
6.2 Graduate Admission Decision
- FAQs
Caltech Admission Deadlines for Graduate Students
Application deadlines for graduate courses at the California Institute of Technology differ by department. Late applications may be considered if seats are available. Caltech admits students only once a year, with enrollment available for the fall term only. Caltech’s Graduate application deadlines generally remain consistent each year and usually fall between early and mid-December.
| Departments | Deadlines 2025-26 (passed) |
|---|---|
| Biology, Chemistry & Engineering | Computation & Neural Systems | December 1, 2025 |
| Mathematics | December 10, 2025 |
| Engineering & Applied Science | Computing | Physics, Math & Astronomy | Earth & Planetary Sciences | Social Sciences & Neuroscience | Environmental & Energy | December 15, 2025 |
Important Consideration: For the 2026-27 academic year, applicants planning to apply to Caltech’s graduate programs can expect application deadlines to fall between mid-November and mid-December.
Caltech Admission Deadlines for Undergraduate Students
Caltech typically sets its undergraduate application deadlines for Restrictive Early Action around November 1. The Regular Decision deadline comes around January 5 each year. The official dates for the 2026-27 cycle have not yet been released. Mentioned below are the most expected admission deadlines for the 2026-27 academic year.
| Action | Deadlines (2025-26) | Tentative Deadlines (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Early Action deadline | November 1, 2025 | November 1, 2026 |
| Restrictive Early Action decision notifications | Mid-December, 2025 | Mid-December, 2026 |
| Regular Decision deadline | January 5, 2026 | January 3-5, 2027 |
| Regular Decision notifications | Mid-March, 2026 | Mid-March, 2027 |
| Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision admit reply deadline | May 1, 2026 | May 1, 2027 |
Note: Students who have already enrolled at another university must apply to Caltech as transfer applicants.
Conditions for the Candidates who take admission via Restrictive Early Action:
- Students applying to Caltech under Restrictive Early Action cannot apply for Early Action or Early Decision at any other institution outside the USA.
- An institution's non-binding rolling admissions process or any military academy.
- Students may not apply early to another institution for scholarships or special academic programs with early deadlines.
- Applicants deferred under Caltech’s Restrictive Early Action may apply to another institution’s Early Decision II program; if admitted, they must withdraw their application from Caltech.
California Institute of Technology Popular Courses
While the core admission requirements remain consistent across programs, certain course-specific expectations may vary by department. The additional information outlined below reflects general trends and applicant profiles and is intended as a guidance reference, as Caltech does not publish detailed program-wise cut-offs or applicant benchmarks on its official website.
| Programs | Additional Admission Requirements for Indian Students |
|---|---|
| MS Computer Science | Strong programming/math background is highly valued. Research publications or projects can strengthen the profile significantly. |
| MS Electrical Engineering | Encouraged (but not required) to submit GRE scores if available. |
| MS Mathematics | GRE is optional/recommended. Very selective; expect strong mathematical thinking via essays or prior work. |
| MS Civil Engineering | No minimum GPA is mentioned. Strong class standing/research experience valued. |
| MS Mechanical Engineering | No explicit GRE requirement. Emphasis on research experience/letters from engineering mentors. |
| MS Astrophysics | Strong physics background required. Incoming students should have knowledge of mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics, and an advanced maths level is required. |
| Bachelor's in Information and Data Sciences | High CBSE/ISC Class XII PCM scores (95%+), JEE-level prep demonstrates capability. |
| BS Mechanical Engineering | Research/internships in engineering can boost chances. Core curriculum (heavy math/physics) readiness key. |
| BS Chemical Engineering | Emphasis on chemistry foundation + math/physics. |
| BS Computer Science | Research/coding hackathons can strengthen the profile. |
California Institute of Technology Admission Requirements for Indian Students
Caltech admits students for the fall term. The institute considers the most recent grades on their transcripts during the review process.
| Parameter | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Application Portal | Common App | ApplyWeb |
| Application Fees | $75 (Non-refundable) | ₹6.892 INR | $100 | ₹9.189 INR |
| Application Requirements (course-specific) | Official Transcripts | Essays | 2 Letters of recommendation | Portfolio (STEM/Non-STEM) | Transcripts | Letters of Recommendation: 3 required | Statement of Purpose | CV | Essays |
| Academic Requirements | Completion of Indian Class 12 (CBSE/ISC/State Boards) with strong math & science preparation. | Completed a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution. |
| Standardised Tests (course-specific) |
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)ACT (American College Testing) | GRE is required for some programs |
| English Proficiency (course-specific) |
TOEFL iBT: 100 | IELTS: 7.0 | Duolingo: 130 | |
California Institute of Technology Admission Process
California Institute of Technology does not follow a single, uniform admissions process for all applicants. The application procedure varies depending on the level of study. Undergraduate applicants apply through the centralised Caltech admissions portal, whereas graduate and doctoral applicants must submit their applications through the respective academic department or program portal.
Application Steps for UG Admission:
- Create a Common App account and select First-Year Student
- Fill in your profile details (personal, family, education)
- Add colleges to “My Colleges” (up to 20)
- Check the college’s application requirements & deadlines
- Enter academic history and activities
- Write the Common App personal essay
- Invite teachers and counsellors for recommendations
- Submit test scores (if required/optional)
- Review the entire application carefully
- Pay the application fee
- Submit your application before the deadline
Students can check out the Common App application guide mentioned above.
California Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate
Caltech’s admissions are extremely selective, accepting only 2.57% of applicants. During the 2024-2025 cycle, 13,856 students applied, and just 356 were admitted. The table below outlines Caltech’s recent admissions data, based on figures reported in the Common Data Set (CDS).
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 2.57% |
| 2023-2024 | 3.1% |
| 2022-2023 | 2.7% |
| 2021-2022 | 3.9% |
California Institute of Technology Admission Decisions
At the California Institute of Technology, the admission decision process differs for undergraduate and graduate programs.
Undergraduate Admission Decision:
For Undergraduates (Restrictive Early Action), Caltech announces 3 decisions:
- Admit: a student is admitted and has until May 1, 2026, to accept or decline their offer.
- Defer: a student is deferred to Regular Decision.
- Deny: a student is denied admission to Caltech. All decisions are final, and a student cannot appeal the decision, nor can they apply to Caltech in the Regular Decision round of that cycle. Students are welcome to apply for admission again the following fall.
Note: A student deferred from Restrictive Early Action (REA) and considered under Regular Decision will receive either an admission or a denial in mid-March. Deferred REA applicants are not placed on a waitlist.
For Undergraduates Regular Decision, Caltech announces 3 decisions:
- Admit: a student is admitted and has until May 1, 2026, to accept or decline their offer.
- Waitlist: a student is waitlisted to Caltech and has until mid-April to opt in for reconsideration. Students are strongly encouraged to send in supplemental materials to support their application.
- Deny: A student whose application is denied by Caltech will receive a final decision that cannot be appealed. However, you may choose to reapply for the following fall term.
Note: If seats remain available after May 1, Caltech will review applications from students who opted in for reconsideration. Students will be notified individually. All waitlist activity concludes by mid-July.
Graduate Admission Decision:
Graduate admission decisions at Caltech are made by individual departments based on their own review timelines. Applicants may receive a decision by April 1. Official offers are released through Caltech’s online admissions portal. Students can accept or decline the offer by April 15.
The California Institute of Technology maintains a highly selective and holistic admissions process, with a single annual intake and program-specific requirements applicable to both undergraduate and graduate levels. The admission deadline for the 2025-26 academic years have been passed. Students are encouraged to review the tentative deadlines carefully in this article. Understand department-level expectations and prepare strong academic and supporting documents well in advance.
Also check: California Institute of Technology Students’ reviews
FAQs
Ques: Does Caltech accept the PTE exam for graduate admissions?
Ans: Yes, Caltech accepts the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) for graduate admissions.
Ques: What GRE score is required for admission at Caltech?
Ans: Caltech does not publish or enforce any GRE score cutoff on its official website. However, some programs still require a GRE score.
Ques: Does an Indian student need to give the SAT and ACT for admission at Caltech?
Ans: Yes, SAT or ACT scores are compulsory (required) for international undergraduate (first-year) applicants.
College Student Profiles
California Institute of Technology Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MS Computer Science 1 year | USD 65,622 /Yr | 100 | GPA: 3.5, TOEFL : 100, IELTS : 7.5, Duolingo : 120 | |
| USD 65,622 /Yr | 75 | IELTS:- 7, Duolingo:- 130, TOEFL:- 100 | ||
M.S Astrophysics 1 year | Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (1st May 2026) Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake (1st Oct 2026) | USD 65,622 /Yr | 100 | TOEFL : 100, IELTS : 7, Duolingo : 130 |
B.S Mechanical Engineering 4 years | USD 65,622 /Yr | 75 | TOEFL : 100, IELTS : 7, Duolingo : 130 | |
B.S Computer Science 4 years | USD 63,402 /Yr | 75 | TOEFL : 100, IELTS : 7, Duolingo : 130 | |
B.S Electrical Engineering 4 years | USD 65,622 /Yr | 75 | TOEFL : 100, IELTS : 7, Duolingo : 130 | |
| USD 65,622 /Yr | 75 | TOEFL : 100, IELTS : 7, Duolingo : 130 | ||
B.A/B.S Economics 4 years | New Applicants Regular Decision Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (16th Mar 2026) Continuing Applicants Regular Decision Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (20th May 2026) | USD 62,622 /Yr | 75 | TOEFL : 100, IELTS : 7, Duolingo : 130 |
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Important Alerts
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Economics New Applicants Regular Decision Application Deadline For 2026 Intake | Closing in 27 days |
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Caltech is very strong in what I do (electrical engineering) and other domains of science. It is a highly reputed institution and very selective.
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