Claremont McKenna vs. Washington and Lee

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

Claremont McKenna College
Washington and Lee University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 14%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Washington and Lee. Average net price is $23,055 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Washington and Lee 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Washington and Lee $89,000 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Washington and Lee University
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Washington and Lee14%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Washington and Lee1430-1540
Average net price
Washington and Lee $10,840 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Washington and Lee$23,055
In-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $65 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Washington and Lee$68,045
Out-of-state tuition
Claremont McKenna $65 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Washington and Lee$68,045
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +0 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Washington and Lee91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$8,800
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Washington and Lee$89,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Washington and Lee 8,213
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Washington and Lee 1,147
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Washington and Lee 14%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Washington and Lee 41.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Washington and Lee 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Washington and Lee 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Washington and Lee 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Washington and Lee A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Washington and Lee Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Washington and Lee Very High
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Washington and Lee 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Washington and Lee 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Washington and Lee Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Washington and Lee $18,685
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Washington and Lee $23,055
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Washington and Lee $63,945
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Washington and Lee 64%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Washington and Lee 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Washington and Lee $89,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Washington and Lee 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Washington and Lee $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Washington and Lee $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Washington and Lee 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Washington and Lee
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Washington and Lee Lexington, VA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Washington and Lee Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Washington and Lee 2,241
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Washington and Lee Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Washington and Lee #31

Comparable Facts

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

Washington and Lee University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington and Lee University are 10.3% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,685 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Washington and Lee than at Claremont McKenna College (about $65 more per year; $68,045 vs. $67,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Claremont McKenna College (64% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 21.6% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($63,945 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Claremont McKenna than at Washington and Lee (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Washington and Lee.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Washington and Lee (3.87).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Loans and repayment

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