California Institute of Technology

47 Nobel laureates affiliated — the highest ratio of any university by student body size.

Manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory — giving students access to active space missions.

3:1 student-to-faculty ratio — nearly every undergrad works on funded research.

9 academic divisions only — total focus on science, engineering, and mathematics.

Caltech's 124-acre campus sits in Pasadena, 11 miles northeast of central Los Angeles. Small class sizes and on-campus housing mean most students live and work within a tight-knit community.

Pasadena offers easy Metro access to LA's tech and aerospace industry hubs. The Rose Bowl, Huntington Library, and year-round sunshine give students plenty outside the lab.