California Institute of Technology campus

Caltech Admission Requirements

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Caltech Admission Overview

Caltech admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in the nation. Last year Caltech admitted 2.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1530-1580 / ACT 35-36. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Caltech requires the SAT or ACT for 2026-27.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/standardized-tests

Caltech Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

2.6%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Extreme

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Caltech acceptance rate is 2.6%. Last year, only 356 of 13,856 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in California and the lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Caltech and can you get accepted?

Caltech is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those admitted, 61% enrolled. That suggests Caltech is a top choice for many students who are offered a place.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Caltech GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.97*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.97*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Caltech has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.97 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.97 GPA does not by itself determine admission.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

*3.97 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Caltech Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

California Institute of Technology requires first-year applicants to submit the SAT or ACT. For students entering in fall 2027, Caltech does not require ACT Writing or Science and reviews each section score rather than a composite. There is no preferred test and no minimum score. Official SAT or ACT results must be on file by the posted QuestBridge, Restrictive Early Action, and Regular Decision deadlines.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/standardized-tests

Caltech SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1530-1580

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 740
Math 790
Composite 1530

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 780
Math 800
Composite 1580

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Caltech typically score around a 1560 SAT (middle 50% 1530–1580) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Caltech ranks #1 in the state of California and #1 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1530 to 1580

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1530–1580 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

You must send SAT or ACT for 2026-27. Confirm current rules on the school's site.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1560 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at California Institute of Technology
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1580+	Above 75th	>6%
1560 to 1580	Avg +	3%-6%
1530 to 1560	Avg -	2%-3%
Below 1530	Below mid-50	<2%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Caltech ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

35-36

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 35
Composite 35

75th Percentile Scores

English 36
Math 36
Composite 36

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Caltech typically have around a 35 ACT (mid-50 35–36) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Caltech places #1 among colleges in California and #1 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 35 to 36

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 35–36 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

ACT or SAT is required for 2026-27. Check the school's site for current rules.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 35.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at California Institute of Technology
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
36	Above 75th	>10%
35 to 36	Avg +	3%-10%
35 to 35	Avg -	3%-3%
Below 35	Below mid-50	<3%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and SAT or ACT compare with last year's enrolled class. This is not a personal probability of admission.

Open the Caltech chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

California Institute of Technology admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	4,446	9,401	13,856
Accepted	190	166	356
Acceptance Rate	4%	2%	3%
Enrolled	111	107	218
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	58%	64%	61%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to California Institute of Technology and what student information is used for admission decisions?

California Institute of Technology application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Required to be considered for admission
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted