California Institute of Technology

California Institute of Technology is a private institution that was founded in 1891. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 982 (fall 2022), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 124 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. California Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #7. Its tuition and fees are $63,255.

Caltech, which focuses on science and engineering, is located in Pasadena, California, approximately 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Social and academic life at Caltech centers on 11 student residences and houses. Student houses incorporate an admired Caltech tradition: dinners served by student waiters. First-year students are guaranteed housing, and most students remain on campus for all four years. The Caltech Beavers have a number of NCAA Division III teams that compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Integral to student life is the Honor Code, which dictates that "No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community."

In addition to its undergraduate studies, Caltech offers top graduate programs in engineering and areas of science including biology, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics and physics. Caltech produces a significant amount of research, receiving grants from institutions such as NASA, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Health and Human Services, among others. Close to 90% of undergraduate students participate in research while earning their degree. Caltech maintains a strong tradition of pranking with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, another top-ranked science and technology university. Companies such as Intel, Compaq and Hotmail were founded by Caltech alumni. Famous film director Frank Capra also graduated from Caltech.