Claremont McKenna vs. Northwestern

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

Claremont McKenna College
Northwestern University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern (7.7% admitted vs 9.6%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northwestern. Average net price is $26,830 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Northwestern 94%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Northwestern $89,800 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Northwestern University
Acceptance rate
Northwestern more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Northwestern7.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northwestern higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Northwestern1510-1570
Average net price
Northwestern $7,065 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Northwestern$26,830
In-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $342 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Northwestern$68,322
Out-of-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $342 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Northwestern$68,322
Graduation rate
Northwestern +3 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Northwestern94%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$8,000
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Northwestern$89,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Northwestern 49,474
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Northwestern 3,806
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Northwestern 7.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Northwestern 55.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Northwestern 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Northwestern 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Northwestern 3.92
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Northwestern A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Northwestern Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Northwestern Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Northwestern 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Northwestern 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Northwestern Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Northwestern Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Northwestern $21,126
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Northwestern $26,830
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Northwestern $64,429
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Northwestern 53%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Northwestern 94%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Northwestern $89,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Northwestern 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Northwestern $19,378
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Northwestern $200
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Northwestern 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Northwestern
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Northwestern Evanston, IL
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Northwestern Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Northwestern 23,856
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Northwestern Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Northwestern #15

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with Northwestern University in Evanston, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 1.4% lower than at Northwestern University ($20,830 vs. $21,126).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Northwestern than at Claremont McKenna College (about $342 more per year; $68,322 vs. $67,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at Claremont McKenna College (53% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($64,429 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Northwestern (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Northwestern.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $4,411 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($14,967 vs. $19,378).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern 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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