Claremont McKenna vs. Oberlin

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

Claremont McKenna College
Oberlin College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 34.2%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Claremont McKenna. Average net price is $33,895 vs $51,624 at Oberlin.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Oberlin 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Oberlin $43,900 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Oberlin College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Oberlin34.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Oberlin1360-1520
Average net price
Claremont McKenna $17,729 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Oberlin$51,624
In-state tuition
Oberlin $614 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Oberlin$67,366
Out-of-state tuition
Oberlin $614 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Oberlin$67,366
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +3 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Oberlin88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$53,900
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Oberlin$43,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Oberlin 10,536
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Oberlin 3,601
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Oberlin 34.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Oberlin 19.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Oberlin 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Oberlin 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Oberlin 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Oberlin A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Oberlin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Oberlin High
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Oberlin 1360-1520
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Oberlin 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Oberlin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Oberlin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Oberlin $19,510
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Oberlin $51,624
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Oberlin $35,780
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Oberlin 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Oberlin 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Oberlin $43,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Oberlin 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Oberlin $26,579
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Oberlin $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Oberlin 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Oberlin
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Oberlin Oberlin, OH
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Oberlin Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Oberlin 2,909
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Oberlin Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Oberlin #153

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 6.3% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($19,510 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Oberlin College (about $614 more per year; $67,980 vs. $67,366).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Claremont McKenna College (99% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 47% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($52,605 vs. $35,780).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at Oberlin (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Oberlin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at Oberlin (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $11,612 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($14,967 vs. $26,579).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($154 vs. $274).

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

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