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A Caltech education is notable for its rigorous curriculum, close collaborations with faculty, and small class sizes. Caltech students work toward undergraduate and graduate degrees alongside their intellectual equals in an academic environment that emphasizes interdisciplinary teamwork, critical thinking, mutual support, and a deep understanding of core concepts and principles across fields.

Students graduate from Caltech prepared to become world leaders in science, engineering, academia, industry, and public service. Graduates are well trained in their ability to identify, analyze, and solve challenging problems within and across science and engineering disciplines, as well as expected to be prepared to apply and communicate their expertise broadly throughout their professional careers.

3:1

student-faculty ratio

300+

professorial faculty

28

undergraduate options

30

graduate options

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About Undergraduate Education

Caltech's nearly 1,000 undergraduate students can choose from 28 options (majors), spread across six academic divisions. Caltech's program not only builds students' expertise in a core area of study and research, but requires a considerable depth and exposure to basic science, humanities, math, and social science overall as the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary research, business, and society require the ability to make connections across disciplines.

Programs of Study   ＞ Undergraduate Deans' Office   ＞ Study Abroad & Fellowships   ＞ Student Research   ＞

About Graduate Education

Caltech's graduate program supports more than 1,200 graduate students—distributed across 30 options (majors)—who are working toward MS and PhD degrees, and in special cases the degree of Engineer. Students collaborate closely with faculty advisors who are among the leading researchers in their fields to expand understand of the universe and invent the technologies of the future.

Degree Options   ＞ Graduate Studies Office   ＞
Institutional Learning Outcomes

The Institute aims for these educational outcomes: 

  • Graduates can analyze, synthesize, and communicate ideas. 
  • Graduates demonstrate integrity, personal and professional responsibility, and respect for others. 
  • Bachelor of Science graduates can identify, analyze, and solve challenging problems within and across science and engineering disciplines. 
  • Bachelor of Science graduates can apply their analytic skills to other areas of knowledge and understand issues important in our society. 
  • Master of Science graduates can apply advanced knowledge in a specialized area in preparation for their professional careers. 
  • Doctor of Philosophy graduates can independently identify, analyze, and solve fundamental research problems with breadth and depth. 
Kevin Gilmartin and student

职业发展

Resources to support everything from securing an internship, to pursuing advanced degree programs, to planning a career are provided through the 职业发展 Center.

Caltech grad student Kelsey Boyle

Teaching, Learning & Outreach

Learn about best practices in instruction and learning, or get involved with the Institute's K-12 public educational outreach programs through the Center for Teaching, Learning, & Outreach.

undergraduate student in labs

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Every summer hundreds of undergraduate students have the opportunity to conduct their own research projects under the guidance of experienced mentors working at the frontiers of their fields.