Cal Tech is found in Pasadena, CA. Pasadena is a medium-sized city. The school is a private, not-for-profit institution. Students can earn degrees up to and including the Doctoral degree at Cal Tech.

Course Topics

The range of program offerings available from the school is especially impressive compared to its number of students. Cal Tech is known for its programs in engineering, mathematics, and science.

Cal Tech Selectivity

Admission to the school is not automatic; not everyone who applies gets in. Hats off to the 17% of those who apply who get accepted. Three quarters of students in 2007 had SAT verbal scores of at least 700. Half of math SAT scores of accepted students fell between 770 and 800. Many applicants are from out of state, an indication of the quality or special character of the school.

Faculty

The school maintains a faculty/student ratio (full-time) which is better than most colleges. Cal Tech has a tenure system for senior faculty. The full-time faculty at the school is well-paid, which often goes with faculty quality.

Student Enrollment

Students numbered 2,133 in 2007 at Cal Tech. A very high share of students at the school are male.

Student Life

Full-time students are the norm at Cal Tech. The school offers dorm rooms to a higher percentage of its students than do most colleges. Cal Tech values student athletics, and belongs to the Southern California Intercoll Athletic Conference.

The school reports its educational mission is:
"The mission of the California Institute of Technology is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education. We investigate the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology in a singularly collegial, interdisciplinary atmosphere, while educating outstanding students to become creative members of society."