Claremont McKenna vs. Hamilton College

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

Claremont McKenna College
Hamilton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 13.6%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1500.
  • Cheaper after aid: Hamilton College. Average net price is $28,719 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Hamilton College 89%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Hamilton College $79,000 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Hamilton College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Hamilton College13.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Hamilton College1450-1550
Average net price
Hamilton College $5,176 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Hamilton College$28,719
In-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $980 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Hamilton College$68,960
Out-of-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $980 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Hamilton College$68,960
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +2 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Hamilton College89%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$18,800
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Hamilton College$79,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Hamilton College 8,531
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Hamilton College 1,162
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Hamilton College 13.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Hamilton College 39%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Hamilton College 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Hamilton College 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Hamilton College 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Hamilton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Hamilton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Hamilton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Hamilton College 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Hamilton College 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Hamilton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Hamilton College $17,510
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Hamilton College $28,719
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Hamilton College $55,511
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Hamilton College 89%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Hamilton College $79,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Hamilton College 90%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Hamilton College $15,760
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Hamilton College $162
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Hamilton College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Hamilton College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Hamilton College Clinton, NY
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Hamilton College Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Hamilton College 2,031
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Hamilton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Hamilton College #26

Comparable Facts

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

Hamilton College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,031 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 15.9% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($17,510 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Hamilton College than at Claremont McKenna College (about $980 more per year; $68,960 vs. $67,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Claremont McKenna College (56% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 5.5% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($55,511 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Hamilton College (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Hamilton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Hamilton College (3.87).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $793 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($14,967 vs. $15,760).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($154 vs. $162).

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

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