UCI vs. Claremont McKenna

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

University of California Irvine
Claremont McKenna College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 28.6%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: UCI. Average net price is $15,889 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: UCI 85% vs Claremont McKenna 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UCI $61,800 vs Claremont McKenna $97,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of California Irvine Claremont McKenna College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
UCI28.6%
Claremont McKenna9.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
UCI1230-1430
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Average net price
UCI $18,006 less
UCI$15,889
Claremont McKenna$33,895
In-state tuition
UCI $52,258 less
UCI$15,722
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Out-of-state tuition
UCI $18,058 less
UCI$49,922
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +6 pts
UCI85%
Claremont McKenna91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$36,000
UCI$61,800
Claremont McKenna$97,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UCI 122,699
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Admitted
  • UCI 35,054
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Acceptance rate
  • UCI 28.6%
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UCI 19.2%
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UCI 1330
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • UCI 29
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • UCI 3.75
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • UCI A-
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Admissions standards
  • UCI Very High
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • UCI High
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • SAT range
  • UCI 1230-1430
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • UCI 26-33
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • UCI Test-free
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UCI Nov 30, 2026
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UCI $15,722
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UCI $49,922
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Room & board
  • UCI $18,991
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Average net price
  • UCI $15,889
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Average grant aid
  • UCI $23,110
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UCI 55%
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • UCI 85%
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UCI $61,800
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • UCI 76%
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Median student loan debt
  • UCI $17,000
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Median loan payment
  • UCI $175
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UCI 19:1
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • UCI
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Biology (16%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • UCI Irvine, CA
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • UCI Rural Fringe
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • UCI 37,297
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Type
  • UCI Public 4 Year
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UCI #98
  • Claremont McKenna #17

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of California Irvine 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 Irvine 19:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 8.8% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,991 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at Claremont McKenna than at University of California Irvine (about $18,058 more per year; $67,980 vs. $49,922).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Irvine than at Claremont McKenna College (55% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 127.6% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($52,605 vs. $23,110).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at UCI (34 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UCI, test optional at Claremont McKenna.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at UCI (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $2,033 lower median loan debt than UCI graduates ($14,967 vs. $17,000).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCI graduates ($154 vs. $175).

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

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