Claremont McKenna vs. Carleton College

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

Claremont McKenna College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Carleton College $5,848 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $912 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $912 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +2 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$32,200
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Claremont McKenna and Carleton College with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Claremont McKenna Check my chances at Carleton College
  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 15.6% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($17,586 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Carleton College than at Claremont McKenna College (about $912 more per year; $68,892 vs. $67,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Claremont McKenna College (59% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 8.1% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($56,846 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Claremont McKenna than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $4,533 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,967 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($154 vs. $201).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Claremont McKenna College
Carleton College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges