Claremont McKenna vs. PLNU

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

Claremont McKenna College
Point Loma Nazarene University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 83.7%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: Claremont McKenna. Average net price is $33,895 vs $39,696 at PLNU.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs PLNU 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs PLNU $53,500 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Point Loma Nazarene University
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
PLNU83.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
PLNU1175-1365
Average net price
Claremont McKenna $5,801 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
PLNU$39,696
In-state tuition
PLNU $21,730 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
PLNU$46,250
Out-of-state tuition
PLNU $21,730 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
PLNU$46,250
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +19 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
PLNU72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$44,300
Claremont McKenna$97,800
PLNU$53,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • PLNU 3,265
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • PLNU 2,732
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • PLNU 83.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • PLNU 21.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • PLNU 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • PLNU 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • PLNU 3.65
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • PLNU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • PLNU Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • PLNU
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • PLNU 1175-1365
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • PLNU 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • PLNU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • PLNU Feb 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • PLNU $46,250
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • PLNU $46,250
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • PLNU $13,650
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • PLNU $39,696
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • PLNU $20,702
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • PLNU 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • PLNU 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • PLNU $53,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • PLNU 79%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • PLNU $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • PLNU $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • PLNU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • PLNU
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • PLNU San Diego, CA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • PLNU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • PLNU 4,757
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • PLNU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • PLNU #250

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (4,757 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 34.5% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($13,650 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $21,730 more per year; $67,980 vs. $46,250).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at Claremont McKenna College (94% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 154.1% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($52,605 vs. $20,702).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at PLNU (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and PLNU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at PLNU (3.65).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $10,033 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($14,967 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($154 vs. $258).

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

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