Elite private research institute pioneering science and engineering with 80 Nobel laureates affiliated.
Caltech operates six academic divisions with rigorous emphasis on science and engineering fundamentals. The undergraduate program requires first-year students to live on campus, with 95% of undergraduates remaining in the on-campus housing system. Students adhere to an honor code that permits faculty to assign take-home examinations. Graduate programs span biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, physics, mathematics, and humanities/social sciences. The institution manages substantial research operations, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and hosts numerous research centers and institutes.
The 124-acre primary campus sits approximately 11 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles in Pasadena, near the San Gabriel Mountains. The Caltech Beavers compete in 13 intercollegiate sports in NCAA Division III's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). Student life includes performing and visual arts, athletics, dining, wellness services, and the Caltech Y. An honor code is central to campus culture, allowing take-home examinations and fostering academic integrity. The house system provides residential community for undergraduates.
Caltech is responsible for many modern scientific advancements and maintains a strong research portfolio across space research, sustainability science, quantum physics, seismology, and related fields. The institution manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (established 1936–1943 under Theodore von Kármán) and operates numerous research centers including the Palomar Observatory, Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, and specialized institutes in neuroscience, nanoscience, and translational research. Faculty and affiliated scientists have contributed to breakthroughs in particle physics, molecular biology, and aerospace technology.
Caltech maintains highly selective undergraduate and graduate admissions processes. The institution provides financial aid and funding opportunities for both domestic and international students. First-year undergraduates are required to live on campus. The university offers career development resources, international student support, and academic advising through its registrar and academic affairs offices.