Claremont McKenna vs. Pepperdine

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

Claremont McKenna College
Pepperdine University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 62.9%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Claremont McKenna. Average net price is $33,895 vs $66,585 at Pepperdine.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Pepperdine 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Pepperdine $71,700 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Pepperdine University
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Pepperdine62.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Pepperdine1290-1450
Average net price
Claremont McKenna $32,690 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Pepperdine$66,585
In-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $1,938 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Pepperdine$69,918
Out-of-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $1,938 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Pepperdine$69,918
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +10 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Pepperdine81%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$26,100
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Pepperdine$71,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Pepperdine 11,526
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Pepperdine 7,245
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Pepperdine 62.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Pepperdine 11.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Pepperdine 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Pepperdine 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Pepperdine 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Pepperdine A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Pepperdine Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Pepperdine Low
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Pepperdine 1290-1450
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Pepperdine 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Pepperdine Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Pepperdine $21,750
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Pepperdine $66,585
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Pepperdine $26,927
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Pepperdine 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Pepperdine 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Pepperdine $71,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Pepperdine 75%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Pepperdine $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Pepperdine $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Pepperdine 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Pepperdine
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Pepperdine Malibu, CA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Pepperdine Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Pepperdine 8,976
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Pepperdine Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Pepperdine #162

Comparable Facts

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

Pepperdine University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 4.2% lower than at Pepperdine University ($20,830 vs. $21,750).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Pepperdine than at Claremont McKenna College (about $1,938 more per year; $69,918 vs. $67,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Claremont McKenna College (91% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 95.4% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($52,605 vs. $26,927).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at Pepperdine (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Pepperdine.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Pepperdine (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $11,033 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($14,967 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($154 vs. $268).

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

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