Claremont McKenna vs. Colby College

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

Claremont McKenna College
Colby College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colby College (7.1% admitted vs 9.6%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colby College. Average net price is $16,219 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Colby College 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Colby College $73,400 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Colby College
Acceptance rate
Colby College more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Colby College7.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Colby College1460-1550
Average net price
Colby College $17,676 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Colby College$16,219
In-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $1,620 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Colby College$69,600
Out-of-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $1,620 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Colby College$69,600
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +0 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Colby College91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$24,400
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Colby College$73,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Colby College 19,187
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Colby College 1,360
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Colby College 7.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Colby College 46.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Colby College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Colby College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Colby College 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Colby College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Colby College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Colby College Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Colby College 1460-1550
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Colby College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Colby College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Colby College Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Colby College $17,890
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Colby College $16,219
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Colby College $69,201
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Colby College 45%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Colby College 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Colby College $73,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Colby College 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Colby College $19,345
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Colby College $200
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Colby College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Colby College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Colby College Waterville, ME
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Colby College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Colby College 2,412
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Colby College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Colby College #39

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Colby College is in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Colby College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 14.1% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($17,890 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Colby College than at Claremont McKenna College (about $1,620 more per year; $69,600 vs. $67,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colby College than at Claremont McKenna College (45% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 31.5% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($69,201 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Claremont McKenna than at Colby College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Colby College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Colby College (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 46.2% at Colby College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $4,378 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($14,967 vs. $19,345).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($154 vs. $200).

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

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