California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Ranking, cost of attendance, the financial aid policy for international students, tests and deadlines, checked against Caltech’s own pages.
Check my chances at CaltechLast updated 4 October 2026Figures checked against official sources, listed at the end
California Institute of Technology (Caltech): highlights
Caltech is a small science and engineering institute in Pasadena, near Los Angeles, ranked 7th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It publishes its English score requirements and its deadlines clearly, and it meets the full financial need of the international students it admits.
- After HSC: US universities do not set an HSC cut-off. Caltech reviews your whole school record, test scores, essays and recommendations together.
- Total cost: USD 98,622 for 2026-27, including tuition of USD 68,574, housing and food.
- Financial aid: Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid.
- Tests: SAT or ACT required; send AP or IB results as well if you have them.
- Deadlines: Restrictive Early Action: 1 November 2026. Regular Decision: 4 January 2027.
Key facts
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is in Pasadena, California. An English test is required unless English is your native language or the main language of teaching at your school.
Caltech rankings
| Ranking | Position |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 7 in the world |
Cost of attendance
US universities publish one cost of attendance instead of a fee per course. These are Caltech’s figures for 2026-27, and they are close to the amount your I-20 will show.
| Item | Amount a year |
|---|---|
| Tuition | USD 68,574 |
| Fees | USD 2,655 |
| Housing | USD 12,711 |
| Food | USD 9,285 |
| Books, materials and equipment | USD 1,428 |
| Personal expenses | USD 3,969 |
| Total | USD 98,622 |
The same tuition applies to every undergraduate major. Travel between Bangladesh and the US is extra.
Admission requirements for Bangladeshi students
| Your qualification or level | What Caltech asks for |
|---|---|
| HSC or A levels | Completion of secondary school. There is no fixed minimum mark; admission is holistic and highly selective |
| Standardised tests | SAT or ACT required; send AP or IB results as well if you have them |
| School documents | Official transcripts sent by your school, with certified English translations where needed |
| Master’s and PhD Each graduate department runs its own admission, with its own tests, deadlines and funding. Check the department page |
Admission rates at this level are very low for every applicant, so apply to a range of universities.
English language scores
| Test or course | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 7 in every section |
| TOEFL iBT, tests from 21 January 2026 | 5 in every section |
| TOEFL iBT, earlier tests | 100 overall, 25 in each section |
| Duolingo English Test | 130 overall and in each section |
Caltech: yearly intakes
Caltech admits first-year students once a year, for the fall term that starts in August or September. You choose an early or a regular round.
| Intake | Classes start | Apply by | Open for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Early Action | August or September | 1 November 2026 | Decision: December |
| Regular Decision | August or September | 4 January 2027 | Decision: Reply by 1 May 2027 |
An English test is required unless English is your native language or the main language of teaching at your school.
How to apply
- Take the required tests
SAT or ACT required; send AP or IB results as well if you have them. Book early, because test dates in Bangladesh fill up.
- Submit the application
Application fee: Fee waivers are available for families in hardship.
- Apply for financial aid at the same time
If you need aid, ask for it in the same application cycle. Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid.
- Receive your I-20
After you accept an offer and show how the first-year cost will be covered, the university issues the I-20 you need for the visa.
- Apply for the F-1 visa
Pay the SEVIS fee, submit the DS-160 at least 7 days before your interview, and attend the interview at the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Financial aid for international students
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Policy
- Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid
- Based on
- Family finances
- Apply
- With your admission application
- US federal aid
- Not available
Caltech meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted international students, but its admission decisions for them are need-aware because funding is limited. You must apply for aid when you apply for admission, or you cannot receive it later.
View on official site ↗International students do not qualify for US federal aid, so university funding matters most.
Living costs at Caltech
Housing and food are already part of the cost of attendance above: USD 21,996 for housing and food for 2026-27.
There is no single national figure for the US. You must show funds that cover the first-year cost on your I-20, with balances built up over 6 to 12 months. The F-1 visa costs USD 535 in total: a USD 185 application fee and a USD 350 SEVIS fee.
What one year costs in total
The full first-year cost is USD 98,622 for 2026-27, before any financial aid. Travel and, where needed, health insurance are extra.
Work and careers after Caltech
Reputation
- 7 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
- Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid.
Work while you study
- On-campus jobs for up to 20 hours a week during term on an F-1 visa.
- Off-campus work needs authorisation, such as Curricular Practical Training.
Stay after graduating
- Optional Practical Training gives 12 months of work.
- STEM graduates can extend it by 24 months.
Caltech: FAQs
Can I get into Caltech with HSC?
You can apply with the HSC. US universities do not publish an HSC cut-off: Caltech looks at your full school record, test scores, essays and recommendations. An English test is required unless English is your native language or the main language of teaching at your school.
How much does Caltech cost for international students?
The full cost of attendance for 2026-27 is USD 98,622, which includes tuition of USD 68,574 and USD 21,996 for housing and food.
Does Caltech give financial aid to Bangladeshi students?
Caltech meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted international students, but its admission decisions for them are need-aware because funding is limited. You must apply for aid when you apply for admission, or you cannot receive it later.
Do I need the SAT or ACT for Caltech?
SAT or ACT required; send AP or IB results as well if you have them.
When is the Caltech deadline?
Restrictive Early Action: 1 November 2026. Regular Decision: 4 January 2027. Classes start in August or September.
How much money do I need to show for the F-1 visa?
Enough to cover the first-year cost on your I-20, which is close to USD 98,622 before any aid. A financial aid award reduces the amount you must show.
Plan the rest
Official sources
- Caltech: cost of attendance ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- Caltech: international applicants ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- QS World University Rankings 2027 ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- U.S. Embassy Dhaka: nonimmigrant visas ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
These are dated editorial checks, not a live data feed. Recheck the original page before applying or paying.
About this guide. Researched by the Student Visa From Bangladesh editorial team from the official sources listed above and last checked on 4 October 2026. We are not a university or a government agency, and admission and visa outcomes are never guaranteed. Read our editorial policy.