Claremont McKenna vs. San Jose State

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

Claremont McKenna College
San Jose State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 84.6%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1130.
  • Cheaper after aid: San Jose State. Average net price is $13,892 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs San Jose State 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs San Jose State $59,900 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College San Jose State University
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
San Jose State84.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
San Jose State1010-1240
Average net price
San Jose State $20,003 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
San Jose State$13,892
In-state tuition
San Jose State $59,570 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
San Jose State$8,410
Out-of-state tuition
San Jose State $46,970 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
San Jose State$21,010
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +45 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
San Jose State46%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$37,900
Claremont McKenna$97,800
San Jose State$59,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • San Jose State 37,132
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • San Jose State 31,419
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • San Jose State 84.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • San Jose State 14.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • San Jose State 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • San Jose State 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • San Jose State 3.35
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • San Jose State B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • San Jose State Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • San Jose State
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • San Jose State 1010-1240
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • San Jose State 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • San Jose State Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • San Jose State Dec 15, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • San Jose State $8,410
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • San Jose State $21,010
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • San Jose State $20,971
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • San Jose State $13,892
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • San Jose State $12,353
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • San Jose State 63%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • San Jose State 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • San Jose State $59,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • San Jose State 73%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • San Jose State $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • San Jose State $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • San Jose State 25:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • San Jose State
    • Business (30%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • San Jose State San Jose, CA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • San Jose State Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • San Jose State 37,661
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • San Jose State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • San Jose State #594

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 0.7% lower than at San Jose State University ($20,830 vs. $20,971).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 223.6% higher at Claremont McKenna than at San Jose State University (about $46,970 more per year; $67,980 vs. $21,010).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at Claremont McKenna College (63% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 325.8% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($52,605 vs. $12,353).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 12 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at San Jose State (34 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Claremont McKenna, test-free at San Jose State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.54 higher than at San Jose State (3.35).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $33 lower median loan debt than San Jose State graduates ($14,967 vs. $15,000).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose State graduates ($154 vs. $155).

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

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