Claremont McKenna vs. San Diego State
Claremont McKenna College and San Diego State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
Claremont McKenna College
San Diego State University
At a glance
- Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 36.2%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1200.
- Cheaper after aid: San Diego State. Average net price is $14,704 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
- Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs San Diego State 66%.
- Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs San Diego State $53,400 (median).
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
San Diego State36.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
San Diego State1090-1300
Average net price
San Diego State $19,191 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
San Diego State$14,704
In-state tuition
San Diego State $59,252 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
San Diego State$8,728
Out-of-state tuition
San Diego State $46,652 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
San Diego State$21,328
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +25 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
San Diego State66%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$44,400
Claremont McKenna$97,800
San Diego State$53,400
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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Claremont McKenna My Chances
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San Diego State My Chances
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- Applied
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Claremont McKenna 6,529
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San Diego State 89,972
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- Admitted
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Claremont McKenna 626
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San Diego State 32,561
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- Acceptance rate
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Claremont McKenna 9.6%
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San Diego State 36.2%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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Claremont McKenna 53.8%
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San Diego State 20.4%
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- Typical SAT score
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Claremont McKenna 1520
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San Diego State 1200
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- Typical ACT score
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Claremont McKenna 34
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San Diego State 25
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- Average high school GPA
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Claremont McKenna 3.89
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San Diego State 3.82
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- Typical high school grades
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Claremont McKenna A
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San Diego State A-
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- Admissions standards
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Claremont McKenna Elite
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San Diego State Challenging
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- Applicant competition
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Claremont McKenna Very High
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San Diego State High
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- SAT range
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Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
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San Diego State 1090-1300
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- ACT range
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Claremont McKenna 33-35
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San Diego State 22-29
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- Submit test scores
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Claremont McKenna Test optional
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San Diego State Test-free
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- Application deadline
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Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
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San Diego State Nov 30, 2026
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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Claremont McKenna $67,980
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San Diego State $8,728
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- Tuition (out of state)
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Claremont McKenna $67,980
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San Diego State $21,328
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- Room & board
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Claremont McKenna $20,830
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San Diego State $23,030
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- Average net price
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Claremont McKenna $33,895
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San Diego State $14,704
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- Average grant aid
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Claremont McKenna $52,605
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San Diego State $12,053
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- % receiving grant aid
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Claremont McKenna 43%
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San Diego State 47%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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Claremont McKenna 91%
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San Diego State 66%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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Claremont McKenna $97,800
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San Diego State $53,400
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- Making student loan payments
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Claremont McKenna -
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San Diego State 65%
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- Median student loan debt
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Claremont McKenna $14,967
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San Diego State $15,349
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- Median loan payment
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Claremont McKenna $154
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San Diego State $158
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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Claremont McKenna 8:1
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San Diego State 27:1
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- Popular majors
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Claremont McKenna
- Social Sciences (44%)
- Psychology (10%)
- Biology (7%)
- Business (7%)
- General Studies (7%)
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San Diego State
- Business (23%)
- Social Sciences (13%)
- Psychology (8%)
- English and Literature (7%)
- Health Professions (7%)
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School basics
- School
- Claremont McKenna Claremont McKenna College
- San Diego State San Diego State University
- Location
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Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
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San Diego State San Diego, CA
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- Setting
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Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
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San Diego State Large City
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- Total enrollment
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Claremont McKenna 1,393
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San Diego State 41,137
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- Type
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Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
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San Diego State Public 4 Year
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- National ranking
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Claremont McKenna #17
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San Diego State #353
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Comparable Facts
Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with San Diego State University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
San Diego State University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 1,393 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
- Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; San Diego State University 27:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 9.6% lower than at San Diego State University ($20,830 vs. $23,030).
- Out-of-state tuition is 218.7% higher at Claremont McKenna than at San Diego State University (about $46,652 more per year; $67,980 vs. $21,328).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego State University than at Claremont McKenna College (47% vs. 43%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 336.4% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($52,605 vs. $12,053).
Admissions details
- Typical ACT composite is 9 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at San Diego State (34 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Claremont McKenna, test-free at San Diego State.
- Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
- Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at San Diego State (3.82).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $382 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($14,967 vs. $15,349).
- Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($154 vs. $158).
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.
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