Claremont McKenna vs. SCU

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

Claremont McKenna College
Santa Clara University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 48%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Claremont McKenna. Average net price is $33,895 vs $53,883 at SCU.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs SCU 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs SCU $81,900 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Santa Clara University
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
SCU48%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
SCU1350-1490
Average net price
Claremont McKenna $19,988 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
SCU$53,883
In-state tuition
SCU $6,687 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
SCU$61,293
Out-of-state tuition
SCU $6,687 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
SCU$61,293
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +6 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
SCU85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$15,900
Claremont McKenna$97,800
SCU$81,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • SCU 18,970
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • SCU 9,105
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • SCU 48%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • SCU 17.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • SCU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • SCU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • SCU 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • SCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • SCU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • SCU Low
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • SCU 1350-1490
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • SCU 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • SCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • SCU Jan 7, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • SCU $61,293
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • SCU $61,293
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • SCU $19,893
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • SCU $53,883
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • SCU $28,368
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • SCU 71%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • SCU 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • SCU $81,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • SCU 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • SCU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • SCU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • SCU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • SCU
    • Business (33%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • SCU Santa Clara, CA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • SCU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • SCU 9,728
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • SCU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • SCU #61

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Clara University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 4.5% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($19,893 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Santa Clara University (about $6,687 more per year; $67,980 vs. $61,293).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at Claremont McKenna College (71% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 85.4% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($52,605 vs. $28,368).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at SCU (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and SCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at SCU (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 17.7% at SCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $6,533 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($14,967 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($154 vs. $222).

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

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