Claremont McKenna vs. Grinnell

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

Claremont McKenna College
Grinnell College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 14.5%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $33,895 at Claremont McKenna vs $34,363 at Grinnell. Grinnell in-state tuition is about $126 more per year.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Grinnell 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Grinnell $59,500 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Grinnell College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Grinnell14.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Grinnell1410-1540
Average net price
About even
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Grinnell$34,363
In-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $126 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Grinnell$68,106
Out-of-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $126 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Grinnell$68,106
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +3 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Grinnell88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$38,300
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Grinnell$59,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Grinnell 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Grinnell 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Grinnell A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Grinnell Very High
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Grinnell 1410-1540
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Grinnell 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Grinnell 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Grinnell 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Grinnell 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Grinnell $136
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Grinnell #57

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 19.1% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($16,842 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Grinnell than at Claremont McKenna College (about $126 more per year; $68,106 vs. $67,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Claremont McKenna College (94% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($52,605 vs. $49,077).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at Grinnell (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Grinnell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Claremont McKenna students have the same average high school GPA (3.89) as students at Grinnell (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $1,797 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($13,170 vs. $14,967).
  • Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($136 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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