Claremont McKenna vs. Vanderbilt

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

Claremont McKenna College
Vanderbilt University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vanderbilt (5.9% admitted vs 9.6%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Vanderbilt. Average net price is $25,186 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Vanderbilt 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Vanderbilt $83,100 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Vanderbilt University
Acceptance rate
Vanderbilt more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Vanderbilt5.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vanderbilt higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Vanderbilt1500-1570
Average net price
Vanderbilt $8,709 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Vanderbilt$25,186
In-state tuition
Vanderbilt $482 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Vanderbilt$67,498
Out-of-state tuition
Vanderbilt $482 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Vanderbilt$67,498
Graduation rate
Vanderbilt +1 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Vanderbilt92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$14,700
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Vanderbilt$83,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Vanderbilt 45,409
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Vanderbilt 2,662
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Vanderbilt 5.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Vanderbilt 61.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Vanderbilt 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Vanderbilt 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Vanderbilt 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Vanderbilt A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Vanderbilt Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Vanderbilt Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Vanderbilt 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Vanderbilt 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Vanderbilt Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Vanderbilt $22,054
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Vanderbilt $25,186
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Vanderbilt $64,404
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Vanderbilt 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Vanderbilt 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Vanderbilt $83,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Vanderbilt 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Vanderbilt $14,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Vanderbilt $144
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Vanderbilt 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Vanderbilt
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Vanderbilt Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Vanderbilt Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Vanderbilt 13,575
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Vanderbilt Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Vanderbilt #16

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 5.6% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($20,830 vs. $22,054).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Vanderbilt University (about $482 more per year; $67,980 vs. $67,498).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Claremont McKenna College (67% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 22.4% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($64,404 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Vanderbilt (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Vanderbilt.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Claremont McKenna students have the same average high school GPA (3.89) as students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $967 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($14,000 vs. $14,967).
  • Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($144 vs. $154).

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

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