Claremont McKenna vs. Amherst

Claremont McKenna College and Amherst College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Claremont McKenna College
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 9.6%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Amherst College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
Amherst $14,846 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $2,500 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $2,500 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Amherst +5 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$15,800
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Amherst College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 11.7% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,390 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Amherst than at Claremont McKenna College (about $2,500 more per year; $70,480 vs. $67,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Claremont McKenna College (59% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 30.4% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($68,591 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Amherst (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $1,992 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($12,975 vs. $14,967).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($134 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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