What is California Institute of Technology's acceptance rate?

California Institute of Technology's acceptance rate is 3%, which makes it extremely selective — one of the hardest schools in the country to get into.

What SAT or ACT score do you need for Caltech?

Admitted students typically score about 1530–1580 on the SAT (middle 50%) and about 35–36 on the ACT. Scores at or above this range strengthen your application, but they are one factor among many.

Is Caltech test-optional?

California Institute of Technology's current testing policy is: Test required. Always confirm on the school's admissions site, as policies change by cycle.

California Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate & How to Get In (3%)

Acceptance rate

1530–1580

SAT (mid 50%)

35–36

ACT (mid 50%)

Test required

Testing

How hard is it to get into Caltech?

With a 3% acceptance rate, California Institute of Technology is extremely selective — one of the hardest schools in the country to get into. It enrolls roughly 1,000 undergraduates (suburban setting) in Pasadena, CA. At this level, strong grades and scores are the baseline, not the differentiator — your essays and what makes you distinctive carry real weight.

What it takes to get in

SAT: admitted students land around 1530–1580 (middle 50%). Aim for the upper end to be competitive.
ACT: the middle 50% is about 35–36.
GPA: admitted students average around 3.98. Rigor (APs/IB/honors) matters as much as the number.
Testing policy: Test required. Confirm on the school's site, since policies shift each cycle.
Essays: at Caltech's selectivity, the application essays are often what separates similar applicants. Make them specific and authentically yours.

Cost

Published tuition is about $63,400 per year before aid. Many students pay less after financial aid — check the school's net price calculator.

Notable programs

STEM · Physics · Engineering · Astronomy · JPL

See Caltech’s supplemental essay guide

Score your Caltech essays, free

Great numbers get you in the room; the essays get you in. Paste your draft into Halo for instant, rubric-based feedback. Halo never writes your essay for you.

Try Halo free

Caltech admissions FAQ

What is California Institute of Technology's acceptance rate?: California Institute of Technology's acceptance rate is 3%, which makes it extremely selective — one of the hardest schools in the country to get into.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for Caltech?: Admitted students typically score about 1530–1580 on the SAT (middle 50%) and about 35–36 on the ACT. Scores at or above this range strengthen your application, but they are one factor among many.
Is Caltech test-optional?: California Institute of Technology's current testing policy is: Test required. Always confirm on the school's admissions site, as policies change by cycle.

Sources & official links

Caltech official website
Caltech on College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education)
Admissions figures compiled from the Common Data Set and IPEDS.

Figures are the most recent available from Common Data Set, IPEDS, and public reports, and are approximate. Always confirm details on California Institute of Technology’s official admissions site.