Claremont McKenna vs. Wellesley

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

Claremont McKenna College
Wellesley College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 14%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wellesley. Average net price is $22,174 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Wellesley 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Wellesley $68,100 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Wellesley College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Wellesley14%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Wellesley1460-1560
Average net price
Wellesley $11,721 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Wellesley$22,174
In-state tuition
Wellesley $804 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Wellesley$67,176
Out-of-state tuition
Wellesley $804 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Wellesley$67,176
Graduation rate
Wellesley +1 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Wellesley92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$29,700
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Wellesley$68,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Wellesley 8,714
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Wellesley 1,224
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Wellesley 14%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Wellesley 47.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Wellesley 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Wellesley 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Wellesley 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Wellesley A
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Wellesley Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Wellesley Very High
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Wellesley 1460-1560
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Wellesley 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Wellesley Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Wellesley Jan 8, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Wellesley $21,024
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Wellesley $22,174
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Wellesley $64,116
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Wellesley 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Wellesley 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Wellesley $68,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Wellesley 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Wellesley $8,900
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Wellesley $92
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Wellesley 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Wellesley
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Wellesley Wellesley, MA
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Wellesley Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Wellesley 2,407
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Wellesley Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Wellesley #18

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 0.9% lower than at Wellesley College ($20,830 vs. $21,024).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Wellesley College (about $804 more per year; $67,980 vs. $67,176).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Claremont McKenna College (54% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 21.9% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($64,116 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Wellesley (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Wellesley.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Wellesley (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $6,067 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($8,900 vs. $14,967).
  • Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($92 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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