Claremont McKenna vs. Macalester College

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

Claremont McKenna College
Macalester College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 28.5%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Claremont McKenna. Average net price is $33,895 vs $40,225 at Macalester College.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Macalester College 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Macalester College $54,100 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Macalester College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Macalester College28.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Macalester College1350-1510
Average net price
Claremont McKenna $6,330 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Macalester College$40,225
In-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $124 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Macalester College$68,104
Out-of-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $124 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Macalester College$68,104
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +4 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Macalester College87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$43,700
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Macalester College$54,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Macalester College 8,968
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Macalester College 2,558
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Macalester College 28.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Macalester College 21.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Macalester College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Macalester College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Macalester College 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Macalester College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Macalester College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Macalester College High
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Macalester College 1350-1510
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Macalester College 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Macalester College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Macalester College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Macalester College $68,104
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Macalester College $15,760
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Macalester College $40,225
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Macalester College $42,766
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Macalester College 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Macalester College 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Macalester College $54,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Macalester College 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Macalester College $22,670
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Macalester College $234
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Macalester College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Macalester College
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Macalester College Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Macalester College Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Macalester College 2,138
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Macalester College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Macalester College #97

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 24.3% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($15,760 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Macalester College than at Claremont McKenna College (about $124 more per year; $68,104 vs. $67,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Claremont McKenna College (87% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 23% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($52,605 vs. $42,766).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at Macalester College (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Macalester College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Macalester College (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $7,703 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($14,967 vs. $22,670).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($154 vs. $234).

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

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