Claremont McKenna vs. USC

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

Claremont McKenna College
University of Southern California

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 9.8%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1500.
  • Cheaper after aid: Claremont McKenna. Average net price is $33,895 vs $43,412 at USC.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs USC 90%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs USC $85,500 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College University of Southern California
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
USC9.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
USC1450-1550
Average net price
Claremont McKenna $9,517 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
USC$43,412
In-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $4,117 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
USC$72,097
Out-of-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $4,117 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
USC$72,097
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +1 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
USC90%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$12,300
Claremont McKenna$97,800
USC$85,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • USC 82,027
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • USC 8,050
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • USC 9.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • USC 43.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • USC 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • USC 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • USC 3.83
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • USC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • USC Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • USC Very High
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • USC 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • USC 32-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • USC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • USC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • USC $72,097
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • USC $72,097
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • USC $19,931
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • USC $43,412
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • USC $46,897
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • USC 70%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • USC 90%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • USC $85,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • USC 81%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • USC $22,375
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • USC $231
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • USC 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • USC
    • Business (25%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • USC Los Angeles, CA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • USC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • USC 46,566
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • USC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • USC #37

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Southern California is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 4.3% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($19,931 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at USC than at Claremont McKenna College (about $4,117 more per year; $72,097 vs. $67,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Claremont McKenna College (70% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 12.2% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($52,605 vs. $46,897).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Claremont McKenna than at USC (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and USC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at USC (3.83).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 43.3% at USC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $7,408 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($14,967 vs. $22,375).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($154 vs. $231).

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

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