Skip to main content
    Back to Programs
    California Institute of Technology

    Mechanical Engineering

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Pasadena, USMSIn-person2 years
    STEM-OPT
    $131,244.00
    Tuition
    over 24mo
    10%
    Acceptance
    of applicants
    10
    Cohort
    students
    138
    Credits
    $100.00
    App fee

    Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology is a 138-credit, 2-year, in-person MS program based in Pasadena, US. Tuition is $131,244 and the program is STEM-OPT eligible for international students.

    About the program

    The program provides depth in a chosen mechanical engineering specialty combined with a strong foundation in basic and engineering sciences. It requires 138 units including graduate mechanical engineering core courses, mathematics and engineering electives, free electives, and a graduate engineering seminar.

    Focus: coursework
    US News #3 in Mechanical Engineering

    Your fit

    Match

    Pro users see a 0 to 100 match score personalized to their academic profile, plus a per-component breakdown (major, GPA, tests, work experience, and more).

    Admissions

    Pro

    Unlock full admissions requirements

    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

    Sign up for 7-day free trial

    Deadlines

    Pro

    Exact application deadlines for each term (Fall, Spring, Summer, Rolling), with priority and final dates where the program distinguishes them.

    Sign up for 7-day free trial

    Standardized tests

    Pro

    Which tests are required, optional, or waived (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo), minimum scores including separate verbal / quant sections, and program codes for score reporting.

    Sign up for 7-day free trial

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (US), 24 months STEM OPT (US)

    $31,774.00
    Annual living cost

    Application Checklist

    Sign in to track what you need to submit for this program.

    Sign in
    See admits on GradCafe
    Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology is $131,244 across 138 required credits.
    Is Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology online or in-person?
    Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology is offered in-person.
    How long does Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology take to complete?
    Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology is structured around 2 years and 138 credits.
    Is Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology STEM-OPT eligible?
    Yes - Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology is STEM-OPT designated, allowing international graduates to extend their post-completion OPT for up to 36 months total.
    How competitive is Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology?
    Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology reports an acceptance rate of approximately 10%.