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    California Institute of Technology

    Physics

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Pasadena, USMSIn-person9 months
    STEM-OPT
    $65,622.00
    Tuition
    over 9mo
    20%
    Acceptance
    of applicants
    135
    Credits
    $100.00
    App fee

    Physics at California Institute of Technology is a 135-credit, 9-month, in-person MS program based in Pasadena, US. Tuition is $65,622 and the program is STEM-OPT eligible for international students.

    About the program

    The program requires Ph 125 abc (quantum mechanics), 81 units of physics electives numbered 100 or above, and 27 units of other graduate electives. It is awarded to PhD students upon completing candidacy exams or to other graduate students upon fulfilling the coursework requirements approved by the option representative.

    Focus: coursework
    QS: 6 | US News #3 in Physics
    Part-time option

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    Admissions

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    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.

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    Deadlines

    Fall 2027
    Dec 15, 2026

    Standardized tests

    GRE
    optional
    Min There is no minimum score requirement
    TOEFL
    required
    Min required for international students whose first or native language is not English; no minimum score stated
    IELTS
    required
    Min required for international students whose first or native language is not English; no minimum score stated

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

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

    $31,774.00
    Annual living cost

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    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 Physics at California Institute of Technology cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Physics at California Institute of Technology is $65,622 across 135 required credits.
    Is Physics at California Institute of Technology online or in-person?
    Physics at California Institute of Technology is offered in-person.
    How long does Physics at California Institute of Technology take to complete?
    Physics at California Institute of Technology is structured around 9 months and 135 credits.
    Is Physics at California Institute of Technology STEM-OPT eligible?
    Yes - Physics 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 Physics at California Institute of Technology?
    Physics at California Institute of Technology reports an acceptance rate of approximately 20%.