UCSD vs. Claremont McKenna

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

University of California San Diego
Claremont McKenna College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 26.7%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1380.
  • Cheaper after aid: UCSD. Average net price is $14,047 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: UCSD 85% vs Claremont McKenna 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UCSD $67,900 vs Claremont McKenna $97,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of California San Diego Claremont McKenna College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
UCSD26.7%
Claremont McKenna9.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
UCSD1270-1480
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Average net price
UCSD $19,848 less
UCSD$14,047
Claremont McKenna$33,895
In-state tuition
UCSD $51,222 less
UCSD$16,758
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Out-of-state tuition
UCSD $17,022 less
UCSD$50,958
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +6 pts
UCSD85%
Claremont McKenna91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$29,900
UCSD$67,900
Claremont McKenna$97,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UCSD 134,450
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Admitted
  • UCSD 35,917
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Acceptance rate
  • UCSD 26.7%
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UCSD 20.4%
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UCSD 1380
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • UCSD 31
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • UCSD 3.82
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • UCSD A-
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Admissions standards
  • UCSD Exceptional
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • UCSD High
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • SAT range
  • UCSD 1270-1480
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • UCSD 28-34
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • UCSD Test-free
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UCSD Nov 30, 2026
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UCSD $16,758
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UCSD $50,958
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Room & board
  • UCSD $18,970
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Average net price
  • UCSD $14,047
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Average grant aid
  • UCSD $25,757
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UCSD 59%
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • UCSD 85%
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UCSD $67,900
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • UCSD 82%
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Median student loan debt
  • UCSD $18,500
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Median loan payment
  • UCSD $191
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UCSD 19:1
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • UCSD
    • Biology (23%)
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • UCSD La Jolla, CA
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • UCSD Large City
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • UCSD 44,256
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Type
  • UCSD Public 4 Year
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UCSD #87
  • Claremont McKenna #17

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 8.9% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,970 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33.4% higher at Claremont McKenna than at University of California San Diego (about $17,022 more per year; $67,980 vs. $50,958).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at Claremont McKenna College (59% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 104.2% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($52,605 vs. $25,757).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at UCSD (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UCSD, test optional at Claremont McKenna.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at UCSD (3.82).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $3,533 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($14,967 vs. $18,500).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($154 vs. $191).

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

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