UC Davis vs. Claremont McKenna

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

University of California Davis
Claremont McKenna College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 41.8%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1280.
  • Cheaper after aid: UC Davis. Average net price is $17,270 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: UC Davis 82% vs Claremont McKenna 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UC Davis $65,200 vs Claremont McKenna $97,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of California Davis Claremont McKenna College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
UC Davis41.8%
Claremont McKenna9.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
UC Davis1160-1400
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Average net price
UC Davis $16,625 less
UC Davis$17,270
Claremont McKenna$33,895
In-state tuition
UC Davis $51,206 less
UC Davis$16,774
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Out-of-state tuition
UC Davis $17,006 less
UC Davis$50,974
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +9 pts
UC Davis82%
Claremont McKenna91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$32,600
UC Davis$65,200
Claremont McKenna$97,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UC Davis 98,864
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Admitted
  • UC Davis 41,353
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Acceptance rate
  • UC Davis 41.8%
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UC Davis 16.4%
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UC Davis 1280
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • UC Davis 29
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • UC Davis 4.0
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • UC Davis A/A+
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Admissions standards
  • UC Davis Very High
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • UC Davis Low
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • SAT range
  • UC Davis 1160-1400
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • UC Davis 25-33
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • UC Davis Test-free
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UC Davis Nov 30, 2026
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UC Davis $16,774
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UC Davis $50,974
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Room & board
  • UC Davis $19,426
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Average net price
  • UC Davis $17,270
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Average grant aid
  • UC Davis $24,591
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UC Davis 60%
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • UC Davis 82%
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UC Davis $65,200
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • UC Davis 82%
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Median student loan debt
  • UC Davis $14,676
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Median loan payment
  • UC Davis $151
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UC Davis 22:1
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • UC Davis
    • Biology (19%)
    • Social Sciences (19%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Foreign Languages (5%)
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • UC Davis Davis, CA
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • UC Davis Small Suburban
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • UC Davis 40,065
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Type
  • UC Davis Public 4 Year
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UC Davis #100
  • Claremont McKenna #17

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Davis are 6.7% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($19,426 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33.4% higher at Claremont McKenna than at University of California Davis (about $17,006 more per year; $67,980 vs. $50,974).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Davis than at Claremont McKenna College (60% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 113.9% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($52,605 vs. $24,591).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at UC Davis (34 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UC Davis, test optional at Claremont McKenna.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UC Davis average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $291 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($14,676 vs. $14,967).
  • Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($151 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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