Caltech Tuition (Cost of Attendance)
Are you planning on pursuing your education in one of the world’s esteemed institutions, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech)? If yes, then understanding the financial aspect of such a renowned university is the most crucial consideration. If you are curious about the cost of tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology, then you have come to the right place.
In this article, I will explain in detail the cost of attending Caltech, including fees, tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. Therefore, keep reading to enlighten yourself.
Caltech Tuition – Cost of Attendance
California Institute of Technology, also known by the name Caltech, is a prestigious university that is highly regarded for many modern scientific advancements and groundbreaking discoveries. Caltech continuously secured a place within the top 10 universities in the world and within the top four in the United States. Furthermore, the U.S. News and World Report ranked Caltech 9th among national universities in the United States while also ranking it 11th for innovative and 15th for best value.
Cost of Attendance (Tuition, Fees and Living Costs)
Now, enough of its excellence, let’s focus on our main concern. The question is, how much does the California Institute of Technology charge for tuition? Let me break it down for you:
Undergraduate Students (Cost of Attendance)

For the 2023-2024 academic year, undergraduate tuition at Caltech is approximately $60,816. The fee for undergraduate is $ 2,439; however, keep in mind that the fee does not comprise a student health insurance plan. If students already have a comparable plan, they do not need to buy health insurance from Caltech.
Additionally, the insurance plan for the academic year 2023-2024 costs $4,998, which breaks down to $1,666 per insurance term. Moreover, every prospective undergraduate student must pay a one-time $500 Orientation fee in addition to the obligatory fee that all undergraduate students must pay.
Housing, Food, and Material Expenses

The cost of housing is $11,247 (on-campus) and $12,960 (off-campus), whereas the cost of food is $8,256 (on-campus) and $6,471 (off-campus). Moreover, the cost of books, course material, supplies, and equipment is $1,428. These additional expenses can affect your overall cost of attendance at Caltech.
The US. Citizens or eligible non-citizens who live in the United States, related US territories, Mexico, or Canada can have a Travel Allowance included in their approximate cost of attendance to help cover two round trips from their main residence.
Elements | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
Tuition | $60,816 | $60,816 |
Fees | $2,439 | $2,439 |
Books, Supplies, Course Materials, and Equipment | $1,428 | $1,428 |
Housing | $11,247 | $12,960 |
Meals | $8,256 | $6,471 |
Transportation | 0 | $1,764 |
Personal Expenses | $2,700 | $4,428 |
Cost of Attendance | $86,886 | $90,306 |
For students who enrolled in the Fall of 2023, the estimated 4-year tuition at Caltech is $259,524. However, keep in mind that this estimate does not include additional costs, such as book costs, supplies, or living expenses.
Initial Registration Fee
Prospective students, when registering, must pay a general deposit of $100 to cover potential loss or damage of institute property. Furthermore, when a student graduate or withdraw from the university, any remaining deposit balance will go toward any outstanding fees or be refunded if there is no unpaid balance.
If any student fails to settle their past due account by the start of the instruction period, they will be charged a late penalty fee of $50 by the Bursar’s Office. Additionally, your registration is not considered complete unless you have enrolled in a program or course approved by your advisor and have submitted tuition and other fees.
When a student, for any reason, withdraws from the institution during an academic term, a refund is measured for tuition, as well as for room and board expenses (if applicable). The amount of refund relies on how much the term has passed. In addition, due to the student’s withdrawal, their assistance will be reduced if the student is a recipient of any financial assistance.
Graduate Student Fee
The tuition and fees for graduate students are $63.063 for the academic year 2023-2024. The fee must be paid at the start of each term: fall, winter, and spring. Graduate students must pay tuition under the following circumstances:
- Graduate students can pay tuition without reference to the nature of their academic activities, which include independent study, research, dissertation, or attending regular classes.
- Without reference to the number of terms, the students have been in residence.
- Regardless of the students’s status as institute appointees.
In addition, remember that the academic staff members possessing the position of instructor or higher are free from tuition requirements.
Net Price After Financial Aid
In the previous year, 60% of undergraduate students were awarded grants or financial support. This financial aid included assistance from local, state, federal, institutional, and other sources acknowledged by the university. However, this financial support does not include private or federal student loans.
After the student receives the financial assistance, the net cost of attending university for four years is $184,828. Therefore, if you can not afford the tuition, you can opt for a scholarship program.
How much is Caltech tuition for 2023-2024?
Studying at Caltech is expensive since it is considered a prestigious university. Caltech tuition for the academic year 2023-2024 is approximately $60,816.
The fees the students have to pay are about $2,439. Furthermore, there are also on-campus and off-campus housing options, and the cost can vary for each.
How much does it cost to go to Caltech for four years?
The cost of tuition for four years at Caltech is approximately $259,524. If the students are receiving any financial assistance, their net cost for attending Caltech will be reduced to $184,828.
To sum up, the California Institute of Technology, also known as Caltech, is a prestigious institution recognized for its contribution to research and scientific advancements. The cost of attendance at Caltech is approximately $86,886 for on-campus students and $90,306 for off-campus students. The cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, personal expenses, and transportation.
If you have any questions related to the cost of attendance and fees, you can visit Caltech’s official website. The website contains all the information related to registration fees and scholarships.