Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Claremont, California |
| Online | claremontmckenna.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in Claremont, California, 35 miles east of Los Angeles, Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is a private liberal arts institution that operates as part of the seven-member Claremont Colleges consortium. The campus features Mediterranean-style architecture across its compact 69-acre grounds, allowing students to access both their CMC courses and classes at the other Claremont Colleges. Founded in 1946 as Claremont Men's College before becoming coeducational in 1976, CMC maintains a distinctive focus on economics, government, and public policy while offering a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. The college operates under a selective admission process and is recognized for its programs in economics, international relations, and government, with most students required to live on campus all four years. Students have access to research institutes focused on public policy and leadership, including the Rose Institute of State and Local Government and the Kravis Leadership Institute.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Claremont McKenna is rated within the top 4% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Claremont McKenna College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#17 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#17 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Colleges in California
#3 in Best Private Colleges in California
#40 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1450/1560 |
| ACT | 33/35 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.89 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 5, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very High |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $350 |
| Room and Board | $19,650 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,500 |
| Total One Year Cost | $86,500 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 44% |
| Psychology | 10% |
| Biology | 7% |
| Business | 7% |
| General Studies | 7% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Claremont McKenna College.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=112260 IPEDS survey data for Claremont McKenna College.
Current students may use the Claremont McKenna College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025