UCSB vs. Claremont McKenna

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

University of California Santa Barbara
Claremont McKenna College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 33%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: UCSB. Average net price is $17,658 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: UCSB 80% vs Claremont McKenna 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UCSB $59,000 vs Claremont McKenna $97,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of California Santa Barbara Claremont McKenna College
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
UCSB33%
Claremont McKenna9.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
UCSB1230-1460
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Average net price
UCSB $16,237 less
UCSB$17,658
Claremont McKenna$33,895
In-state tuition
UCSB $51,566 less
UCSB$16,414
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Out-of-state tuition
UCSB $17,366 less
UCSB$50,614
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +11 pts
UCSB80%
Claremont McKenna91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$38,800
UCSB$59,000
Claremont McKenna$97,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UCSB 110,259
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Admitted
  • UCSB 36,347
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Acceptance rate
  • UCSB 33%
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UCSB 13.8%
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UCSB 1350
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • UCSB 31
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • UCSB 3.82
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • UCSB A-
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Admissions standards
  • UCSB Exceptional
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • UCSB High
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • SAT range
  • UCSB 1230-1460
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • UCSB 28-34
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • UCSB Test-free
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UCSB Nov 30, 2026
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UCSB $16,414
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UCSB $50,614
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Room & board
  • UCSB $20,279
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Average net price
  • UCSB $17,658
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Average grant aid
  • UCSB $24,695
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UCSB 53%
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • UCSB 80%
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UCSB $59,000
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • UCSB 73%
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Median student loan debt
  • UCSB $16,451
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Median loan payment
  • UCSB $170
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UCSB 17:1
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • UCSB
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • UCSB Santa Barbara, CA
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • UCSB Midsize Suburban
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • UCSB 26,133
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Type
  • UCSB Public 4 Year
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UCSB #112
  • Claremont McKenna #17

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of California Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 17:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 2.6% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($20,279 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 34.3% higher at Claremont McKenna than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $17,366 more per year; $67,980 vs. $50,614).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara than at Claremont McKenna College (53% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 113% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($52,605 vs. $24,695).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at UCSB (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UCSB, test optional at Claremont McKenna.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UCSB 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 UCSB (3.82).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $1,484 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($14,967 vs. $16,451).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($154 vs. $170).

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

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