California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

California Institute of Technology is a private school founded in 1891. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,023 (Fall 2023) and is located on a 124-acre campus in a suburban area. The academic calendar is based on quarters. Cal Poly is ranked #6 in National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. Tuition and fees are $65,898.

The California Institute of Technology, with a focus on science and engineering, is located in Pasadena, California, about 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Caltech's social and academic life is centered around 11 student residence halls. The student dormitories have an enviable Caltech tradition: dinner is served by student servers. Housing is guaranteed for first-year students, and most students live on campus all four years. The Cal Poly Beavers have several NCAA Division III teams that compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Integral to student life is the Honor Code, which states, "No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community."

In addition to undergraduate study, Caltech offers top-tier graduate programs in engineering and the sciences, including biology, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics, and physics. Caltech conducts a significant amount of research that has been funded by NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, among others. Nearly 90% undergraduates are involved in research while earning their degrees. Caltech maintains a fine tradition of mischief with MIT, another top technology university. Companies such as Intel, Compaq and Hotmail were founded by Caltech alumni. Famous movie director Frank Capra also graduated from Caltech.