Claremont McKenna vs. Swarthmore

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

Claremont McKenna College
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 9.6%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Swarthmore $11,426 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Swarthmore $2,486 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Swarthmore $2,486 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +4 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$32,000
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Swarthmore College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 2.5% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($20,308 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Swarthmore College (about $2,486 more per year; $67,980 vs. $65,494).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Claremont McKenna College (57% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($61,634 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Swarthmore (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $4,533 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($14,967 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($154 vs. $201).

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

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