California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Caltech (California Institute of Technology) is a private, highly selective research university located in Pasadena, California. It was founded in 1891 and is known for its intense focus on science and engineering.
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Size: Very small student body — as of 2024–25, about 987 undergraduates and 1,443 graduate students.
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Campus: Compact 124-acre campus.
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Academics: It has six academic divisions, very strong in STEM fields; students complete a rigorous core curriculum in math, physics, chemistry, biology, humanities, and physical education.
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Research: High research output; Caltech is very well known for cutting-edge research and collaboration (e.g., with NASA via the Jet Propulsion Laboratory). Student Culture: There’s an honor code that allows take-home exams.
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Prestige: Despite its small size, Caltech has produced a disproportionately large number of Nobel laureates (historically).

