Cal State Long Beach vs. Claremont McKenna

California State University Long Beach and Claremont McKenna College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Long Beach
Claremont McKenna College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 46.3%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1130.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal State Long Beach. Average net price is $10,607 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Cal State Long Beach 54% vs Claremont McKenna 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cal State Long Beach $51,100 vs Claremont McKenna $97,800 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Long Beach Claremont McKenna College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Cal State Long Beach46.3%
Claremont McKenna9.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Cal State Long Beach1020-1240
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Average net price
Cal State Long Beach $23,288 less
Cal State Long Beach$10,607
Claremont McKenna$33,895
In-state tuition
Cal State Long Beach $60,630 less
Cal State Long Beach$7,350
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Out-of-state tuition
Cal State Long Beach $48,030 less
Cal State Long Beach$19,950
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +37 pts
Cal State Long Beach54%
Claremont McKenna91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$46,700
Cal State Long Beach$51,100
Claremont McKenna$97,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cal State Long Beach 83,967
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Admitted
  • Cal State Long Beach 38,854
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cal State Long Beach 46.3%
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cal State Long Beach 16.7%
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cal State Long Beach 1130
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cal State Long Beach 23
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cal State Long Beach 3.7
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cal State Long Beach A-
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Admissions standards
  • Cal State Long Beach Moderate
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Cal State Long Beach Low
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • SAT range
  • Cal State Long Beach 1020-1240
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Cal State Long Beach 20-26
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Cal State Long Beach Test-free
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cal State Long Beach $7,350
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cal State Long Beach $19,950
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Room & board
  • Cal State Long Beach $15,612
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Average net price
  • Cal State Long Beach $10,607
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Average grant aid
  • Cal State Long Beach $11,795
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cal State Long Beach 76%
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cal State Long Beach 54%
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cal State Long Beach $51,100
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cal State Long Beach 69%
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cal State Long Beach $15,000
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Median loan payment
  • Cal State Long Beach $155
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cal State Long Beach 23:1
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cal State Long Beach
    • Business (20%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Cal State Long Beach Long Beach, CA
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • Cal State Long Beach Large City
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Cal State Long Beach 42,003
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Type
  • Cal State Long Beach Public 4 Year
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cal State Long Beach #523
  • Claremont McKenna #17

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA with Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 25.1% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($15,612 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 240.8% higher at Claremont McKenna than at California State University Long Beach (about $48,030 more per year; $67,980 vs. $19,950).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at Claremont McKenna College (76% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 346% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($52,605 vs. $11,795).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 11 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at Cal State Long Beach (34 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Cal State Long Beach, test optional at Claremont McKenna.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $33 lower median loan debt than Cal State Long Beach graduates ($14,967 vs. $15,000).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Long Beach graduates ($154 vs. $155).

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

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