Claremont McKenna College Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Claremont McKenna College is a highly selective private research university in Claremont, California, enrolling about 1,388 students. Admission is highly selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 9.59% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $104,736 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $67,980
- 2024 Average Net Price: $28,849 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 9.59% Highly Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,388 99.5% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 91.36%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 5.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 40.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 90.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1527
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,405
- Applicants (IPEDS): 5,799
- Room & Board: $20,830 annual estimate
Claremont McKenna College: what the data shows
Common questions about Claremont McKenna College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Claremont McKenna College?
Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (ZIP 91711-6400).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Claremont McKenna College public or private?
Claremont McKenna College is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Claremont McKenna College cost?
Published tuition: $67,980.
Average net price after aid: $28,849.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $15,308 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,360 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $16,389 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $19,325 |
| $110,001+ | $52,295 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $271,920.
How hard is it to get into Claremont McKenna College?
Admission rate: 9.59%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1527 and midpoint ACT 34.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Claremont McKenna College?
Total enrollment: 1,388 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,405 students.
Graduate enrollment: 3 students.
About 100% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Claremont McKenna College?
150%-time completion rate: 91.36%.
First-year retention: 98.1%.
What do graduates of Claremont McKenna College earn?
Median earnings: $87,603 six years after entry; $104,736 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $13,500.
18.10% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Claremont McKenna College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (120 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (42 completions)
- Experimental Psychology (32 completions)
- International Relations and Affairs (30 completions)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (29 completions)
- Systems Science and Theory (24 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (15 completions)
- Neuroscience (15 completions)
- Philosophy (15 completions)
- History, General (14 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Claremont McKenna College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 9.59%; completion rate 91.36%; median earnings $104,736 at 10 years; net price $28,849. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$67,980
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Claremont McKenna College was $67,980.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$28,849
2024 Value
In 2024 Claremont McKenna College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $28,849.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$115,396 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$28,849 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$271,920 4-Year Tuition
$20,830 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$90,010 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$360,040 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Claremont McKenna College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
18.10% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
20.93% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Claremont McKenna College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Claremont McKenna College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $45,625 | $45,625 | $22,957 |
| 2014 | $47,395 | $47,395 | $18,545 |
| 2015 | $49,045 | $49,045 | $24,298 |
| 2016 | $50,945 | $50,945 | $29,961 |
| 2017 | $52,825 | $52,825 | $26,933 |
| 2018 | $54,405 | $54,405 | $23,889 |
| 2019 | $56,475 | $56,475 | $22,161 |
| 2020 | $56,475 | $56,475 | $21,993 |
| 2021 | $58,111 | $58,111 | $20,114 |
| 2022 | $60,715 | $60,715 | $19,489 |
| 2023 | $64,150 | $64,150 | $27,384 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
9.59% Acceptance Rate
5,799 Total Applicants
645 Students Admitted
321 First-Time Students Enrolled
49.77% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is extremely selective, accepting fewer than 1 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1527
ACT Average: 34
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.9 - 4.0
Estimated Median GPA: 4.00
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Claremont McKenna College reported total enrollment of about 1,388 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 50% male and 50% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (35.7%), Asian (17.1%), and Hispanic or Latino (14.8%). About 18.10% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
99.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Claremont McKenna College in 2024 is 1,388 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,405 students. Graduate enrollment is about 3 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
98.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 35.7%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
75.31% 100% Completion Time
91.36% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 75.31% of students graduating from Claremont McKenna College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 67% male / 33% female
- Political Science and Government, General: 55% male / 45% female
- Experimental Psychology: 44% male / 56% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Claremont McKenna College.
Return on Investment
$13,500 Median Student Debt
$104,736 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
12.89% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
807.62% Return on Investment
1.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Claremont McKenna College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 41 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 120 completions
2. Political Science and Government, General: 42 completions
3. Experimental Psychology: 32 completions
4. International Relations and Affairs: 30 completions
5. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: 29 completions
6. Systems Science and Theory: 24 completions
7. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 15 completions
8. Neuroscience: 15 completions
9. Philosophy: 15 completions
Most popular programs at Claremont McKenna College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Claremont McKenna College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Claremont McKenna College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 90.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $16,701
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $47,965
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Claremont McKenna College is a private non-profit institution located in Claremont, CA, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Political Science and Government, General, Experimental Psychology. Enrollment is approximately 1,388 students. Student body composition includes White (35.7%), Asian (17.1%), Hispanic or Latino (14.8%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 9.59%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1527. The 150%-time completion rate is 91.36%. Approximately 18.10% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Claremont, CA 91711-6400
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 91.36% graduation rate, Claremont McKenna College demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Claremont McKenna College graduates report median earnings of $104,736 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Claremont McKenna College located?
Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA.
What is Claremont McKenna College's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Claremont McKenna College is 9.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 5,799 applicants and 645 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Claremont McKenna College cost?
Reported tuition is $67,980 and average net price is $28,849 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $20,830 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Claremont McKenna College?
Claremont McKenna College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,405 students, White (35.7%), Asian (17.1%) in federal College Scorecard data.
What test scores do students need for Claremont McKenna College?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Claremont McKenna College reports midpoint SAT about 1527 and midpoint ACT about 34.
What do graduates of Claremont McKenna College earn?
Median earnings are $87,603 six years after entry and $104,736 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Claremont McKenna College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 91.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Claremont McKenna College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $13,500.
Is Claremont McKenna College public or private?
Claremont McKenna College is a private nonprofit institution located in Claremont, CA.
Is Claremont McKenna College an HBCU?
No. Claremont McKenna College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Claremont McKenna College a tribal college?
No. Claremont McKenna College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Claremont McKenna College a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Claremont McKenna College does not meet that proxy (reported share 14.8%).
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- Claremont, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.