Caltech vs. Claremont McKenna

California Institute of Technology and Claremont McKenna College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Institute of Technology
Claremont McKenna College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Caltech (2.6% admitted vs 9.6%). Typical SAT 1560 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Caltech. Average net price is $14,513 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Caltech 87% vs Claremont McKenna 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Caltech $85,800 vs Claremont McKenna $97,800 (median).
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Key differences

California Institute of Technology Claremont McKenna College
Acceptance rate
Caltech more selective
Caltech2.6%
Claremont McKenna9.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Caltech higher
Caltech1530-1580
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Average net price
Caltech $19,382 less
Caltech$14,513
Claremont McKenna$33,895
In-state tuition
Caltech $2,082 less
Caltech$65,898
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Out-of-state tuition
Caltech $2,082 less
Caltech$65,898
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +4 pts
Caltech87%
Claremont McKenna91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$12,000
Caltech$85,800
Claremont McKenna$97,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Caltech 13,856
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Admitted
  • Caltech 356
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Acceptance rate
  • Caltech 2.6%
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Caltech 61.2%
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Caltech 1560
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Caltech 35
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Caltech 3.97
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Caltech A
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Admissions standards
  • Caltech Elite
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Caltech Extreme
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • SAT range
  • Caltech 1530-1580
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Caltech 35-36
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Caltech Required
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Caltech Jan 3, 2027
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Room & board
  • Caltech $20,283
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Average net price
  • Caltech $14,513
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Average grant aid
  • Caltech $72,373
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Caltech 53%
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Caltech 87%
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Caltech $85,800
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Caltech -
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Median student loan debt
  • Caltech $14,350
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Median loan payment
  • Caltech $148
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Caltech 3:1
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Caltech
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Physical Sciences (25%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
    • Mathematics (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Caltech Pasadena, CA
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • Caltech Midsize City
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Caltech 2,430
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Type
  • Caltech Private 4 Year
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Caltech #7
  • Claremont McKenna #17

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Institute of Technology is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 2.6% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($20,283 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Claremont McKenna than at California Institute of Technology (about $2,082 more per year; $67,980 vs. $65,898).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology than at Claremont McKenna College (53% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 37.6% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($72,373 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Caltech than at Claremont McKenna (35 vs. 34, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Caltech, test optional at Claremont McKenna.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Caltech average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $617 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($14,350 vs. $14,967).
  • Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($148 vs. $154).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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