Official NCES IPEDS & Common Data Set Admissions Statistics (2025-2026 Cycle)
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Ivy Plus Private research university Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate

Comprehensive admissions statistics, middle 50% SAT/ACT test score percentiles, GPA requirements, deadlines, and cost of attendance according to official NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

Official Acceptance Rate
2.7%

3 admitted per 100 applicants

Total Applicants
16,626
Undergraduate pool
Total Admitted
448
Offers extended
Enrolled Freshmen
230
Yield: 51.3%
Middle 50% SAT
1530-1580
25th-75th Percentile
Middle 50% ACT
35-36
Composite score
Average High School GPA
3.99
Unweighted 4.0 scale

Calculate Your Chances of Admission to California Institute of Technology

Simulate how your personal high school GPA and standardized test scores compare against Caltech's accepted cohort.

College Admissions Chances Calculator

Evaluate admission odds based on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores against official IPEDS benchmarks

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3.85
Composite SAT Score 1480
Harvard University
Institutional Acceptance Rate: 3.4%
Reach School
Estimated Admission Likelihood
6% - 10% (~2.4x baseline rate)
Reach (<35%) Target (35%-70%) Safety (>70%)
Academic Profile vs Middle 50% Benchmarks:
Your GPA vs School Avg
3.85 vs 3.98 Below Avg
Your SAT vs Mid-50%
1480 vs 1490-1580 Near 25th %
Strategic Recommendations for this College:

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Caltech Standardized Test Score Distributions

Breakdown of the 25th percentile (bottom quarter) vs 75th percentile (top quarter) of matriculated students.

SAT Middle 50% Distribution

1600 Scale
Composite Total Range 1530 – 1580
Reading & Writing (EBRW) 750 – 790
Math Section 790 – 800
Current Testing Policy Test-Required reinstated

ACT & GPA Academic Benchmarks

36 Scale / 4.0 GPA
ACT Composite 25th Percentile 35
ACT Composite 75th Percentile 36
Average High School Unweighted GPA 3.99 / 4.00
Estimated Class Rank Top 10% of high school graduating class

Application Deadlines & Admissions Plans

Regular Decision (RD) Deadline January 3
Early Application Deadline November 1
Early Admissions Plan Type Restricted Early Action
Application Fee $75 (Fee waivers accepted)

Tuition & Estimated Cost of Attendance

In-State Tuition & Fees $63,255 / year
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees $63,255 / year
Institutional Type Private research university
Official Admissions Portal Visit Caltech

California Institute of Technology Admissions FAQ

Frequently asked questions regarding admission requirements, GPA, and test percentiles for Caltech.

What is the acceptance rate for California Institute of Technology?

The official undergraduate acceptance rate for California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is approximately 2.7%. For every 100 applicants, around 3 students are admitted, according to latest NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

What GPA do you need to get into Caltech?

Admitted students to Caltech typically have an average unweighted high school GPA of around 3.99 on a 4.0 scale. Most successful applicants take rigorous AP, IB, or Honors courses and rank in the top quartile of their graduating class.

What are the middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for Caltech?

The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1530 to 1580. For the ACT, the middle 50% composite score is 35 to 36. Scoring in the upper 75th percentile significantly increases your admissions chances.

What is the application deadline for California Institute of Technology?

The regular decision application deadline for California Institute of Technology is January 3. Early applicants typically submit their materials by November 1 under the Restricted Early Action admissions plan.

Is Caltech test-optional in 2025-2026?

California Institute of Technology's testing policy status: Test-Required reinstated. Please verify program-specific requirements on the official admissions portal before submitting.