California Institute of Technology

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at California Institute of Technology was $58,479 a year.

Tuition increased 3.75% in 2022–from $56,364 the prior year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers feel scary, remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't always give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students owe much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable until you're done with college.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at California Institute of Technology

California Institute of Technology is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of California as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a college where you are eligible for in-state tuition can save significant money on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Don't forget to verify your state's eligibility criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to California Institute of Technology?

Tuition at Caltech is the same for every student.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or Caltech-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Caltech:

•On-campus jobs •Caltech-specific loans •Caltech-specific scholarships

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California Institute of Technology Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Caltech.

Room and Board Costs at Caltech

Housing and campus dining at Caltech is $18,606 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the Caltech's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls. Students who do not live on-campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can pay for a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $12,051.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Caltech?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Caltech, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area could be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. The California Institute of Technology campus is in a suburban setting in California, near Los Angeles.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending California Institute of Technology

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Caltech.

Total Cost of Caltech

What will the cost of attending Caltech be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$58,479
Room and Board	$18,606
Board Only	$5,733
Other expenses	$2,700

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$83,598
Off-Campus	$71,949

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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California Institute of Technology Financial Aid

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The majority of Caltech undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2022, 511 of the 987 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Caltech meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $61,182 a year. Around 29.28% of Caltech undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Caltech graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $16,787 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$11,779
Caltech-Specific Loans	$11,871
Private Loans	$77,740

Most Common Loans for Caltech Students
Federal Loans	10.36%
Institutional Loans	25.23%
Private loans	0.9%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Caltech financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at California Institute of Technology

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Caltech awarded 511 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $27.2 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $270000 thousand in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

California Institute of Technology Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Caltech students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Caltech was $61,182 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Caltech seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$22,416
Off-Campus	$10,767

What will attending Caltech really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Caltech's net cost calculator on their website.

California Institute of Technology Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Caltech Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About California Institute of Technology

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