Claremont McKenna College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Claremont McKenna College is a private institution located in Claremont, California and one of the most selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Claremont McKenna College admits fewer than 1 in 10 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 9%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1510 and an ACT composite around 34. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $28,849 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Claremont McKenna College?

Successful applicants to Claremont McKenna College typically present unweighted GPAs at or near 4.0 with the most rigorous course load their school offers, including multiple AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses.

What does Claremont McKenna College weight in admissions?

Claremont McKenna College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

How Claremont McKenna College evaluates applicants: all 18 factors, the GPA of admitted students, and what it means for your child

SAT and ACT scores Claremont McKenna College typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 750–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 725. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–35. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does Claremont McKenna College actually cost?

Published tuition is $67,980 for in-state students and $67,980 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $20,830 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $28,849 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 18% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for Claremont McKenna College

Will my child graduate from Claremont McKenna College?

These predict outcomes at Claremont McKenna College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at Claremont McKenna College

The most popular undergraduate programs at Claremont McKenna College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Political Science and Government and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. Across all programs, Claremont McKenna College confers roughly 327 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $151,744 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is Claremont McKenna College safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Claremont McKenna College disclosed 24 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 17.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 6 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at Claremont McKenna College?

About 97% of undergraduates at Claremont McKenna College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in California parents ask about

• Harvey Mudd College
  13% acceptance
• Pomona College
  7% acceptance
• Pitzer College
  25% acceptance
• Scripps College
  38% acceptance
• Occidental College
  44% acceptance
• Loyola Marymount University
  45% acceptance
• Santa Clara University
  48% acceptance
• University of the Pacific
  71% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about Claremont McKenna College