California Institute of Technology
Caltech's 124-acre campus is located in Pasadena, California, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The student body is intensely focused on science and engineering, with a strong emphasis on research. Students are bound by a strict honor code that promotes academic integrity, and nearly all undergraduates live in the on-campus housing system. Caltech also manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA.
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Caltech's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 15% of students receive Pell Grants; 4% take federal loans.
Average net price across income brackets is $17,608, roughly 72% lower than the published tuition.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | $1,667 | $6,668 |
| $30K – $48K | $1,023 | $4,092 |
| $48K – $75K | $7,003 | $28,012 |
| $75K – $110K | $22,073 | $88,292 |
| $110K+ | $56,275 | $225,100 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $63,255 | $253,020 |
Programs at Caltech
1 degree program ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Compare across schools → |
67
|
$173,344/yr | Very High | 5.9x |