Claremont McKenna vs. Stanford

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

Claremont McKenna College
Stanford University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Stanford (3.6% admitted vs 9.6%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Stanford. Average net price is $25,078 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Stanford 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Stanford $122,900 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Stanford University
Acceptance rate
Stanford more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Stanford3.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Stanford higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Stanford1510-1580
Average net price
Stanford $8,817 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Stanford$25,078
In-state tuition
Stanford $2,070 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Stanford$65,910
Out-of-state tuition
Stanford $2,070 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Stanford$65,910
Graduation rate
Stanford +5 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Stanford96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Stanford +$25,100
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Stanford$122,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Claremont McKenna and Stanford with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Claremont McKenna Check my chances at Stanford
  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Stanford 57,326
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Stanford 2,067
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Stanford 3.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Stanford 81.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Stanford 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Stanford 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Stanford 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Stanford A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Stanford Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Stanford Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Stanford 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Stanford 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Stanford Required
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Stanford Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Stanford $65,910
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Stanford $65,910
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Stanford $21,315
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Stanford $25,078
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Stanford $62,755
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Stanford 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Stanford 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Stanford $122,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Stanford 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Stanford $12,475
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Stanford $128
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Stanford 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Stanford
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • General Studies (16%)
    • Engineering (15%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (5%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Stanford Stanford, CA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Stanford Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Stanford 18,625
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Stanford Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Stanford #3

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 2.3% lower than at Stanford University ($20,830 vs. $21,315).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Stanford University (about $2,070 more per year; $67,980 vs. $65,910).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Claremont McKenna College (61% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 19.3% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($62,755 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Stanford (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Claremont McKenna, required at Stanford.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Stanford average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $2,492 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($12,475 vs. $14,967).
  • Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($128 vs. $154).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Claremont McKenna College
Stanford University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges