California Institute of Technology

Caltech, or the California Institute of Technology, was founded in 1891 as Throop University and obtained its current name in 1920. The school focuses on science and engineering and is located in Pasadena, California, about 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Caltech has over 2,200 students, with about 55% of them pursuing graduate study. At 3:1, the student-faculty ratio is quite low. International students make up more than one-fourth of Caltech's overall enrolment. The academic calendar at the school is based on the quarter system, and English is the medium of teaching.

Caltech's academic departments include biology and biological engineering, chemistry and chemical engineering, engineering and applied science, geology and planetary sciences, humanities and social sciences, and physics, mathematics, and astronomy, among others. All first-year undergraduate and graduate students are guaranteed accommodation by the institution. Instead of standard undergraduate living halls seen at many American institutions, there are eight undergraduate houses, each with its own governance and customs. Graduate students who have recently been admitted are given precedence for residence in the on-campus Catalina Apartments.

Approximately 80% of Caltech undergraduates conduct research as part of their coursework. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships are available at the institution, where students prepare research papers, engage with mentors, and present their results. Caltech is home to around 50 research institutes and centres, including the Resnick Sustainability Institute and the Tectonics Observatory. Furthermore, the institution is home to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a centre for robotic exploration of the solar system that involves both scientists and students.

California Institute of Technology is ranked #9 in Best Global Universities and  ranked #6 in QS World University Rankings.