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

Claremont, California · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
38%
3,199 applicants
Median SAT
1490
Mid 50: 1450–1520
In-state tuition
$65,950
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$36,294
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Scripps College is a private nonprofit university in Claremont, California that admits about 38% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $36,294 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Political Science and Government, Natural Resources Conservation and Research and Research and Experimental Psychology, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 87% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 18.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Scripps College is a private institution located in Claremont, California with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Scripps College admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 38%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1490 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,294 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Scripps College?

Admitted students at Scripps College typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Scripps College.

What does Scripps College weight in admissions?

Scripps College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important4 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • Application essay
  • Character/personal qualities
Important1 factor
  • Recommendations

SAT and ACT scores Scripps College typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 720–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 730. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34. 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.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1450
50th percentile1490
75th percentile1520
% submitting SAT24%
ACT Composite
25th percentile31
50th percentile33
75th percentile34
% submitting ACT16%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

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.

Top 10% of class70%
Top 25% of class91%
Top 50% of class100%
% submitting class rank14.06%

How much does Scripps College actually cost?

Published tuition is $65,950 for in-state students and $65,950 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $22,136 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $36,294 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 11% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$65,650
Room and board$21,792
Average net price (after aid)$36,294
Application fee$60 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Scripps College

Regular admission
Regular deadline1/8
Notification date1-Apr
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 15
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 8
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)47%

Will my child graduate from Scripps College?

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

Freshman retention
94%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
68.1%
finished on time
6-year graduation
87%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Scripps College

The most popular undergraduate programs at Scripps College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Political Science and Government, Natural Resources Conservation and Research and Research and Experimental Psychology. Across all programs, Scripps College confers roughly 137 bachelor's degrees a year. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Political Science and Government24
Natural Resources Conservation and Research20
Research and Experimental Psychology19
Biology, General17
Economics16
English Language and Literature, General15
Communication and Media Studies13
Neurobiology and Neurosciences13
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Scripps College safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Scripps College disclosed 21 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 18.9 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

Total offenses
21
18.9 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
0
0.00 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
6
5.39 per 1,000
Burglary
8
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 1,113 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Scripps College?

About 97% of undergraduates at Scripps 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.

Live on campus
97%
of undergraduates
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Scripps College.

Other colleges in California parents ask about

Next steps for Scripps College

Common questions parents ask about Scripps College

What GPA do I need for Scripps College?

Admitted students at Scripps College typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.

What SAT or ACT score does Scripps College typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 720–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 730. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34.

How much does Scripps College actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Scripps College after grants and scholarships is $36,294 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $65,950. Budget against the net figure.

Is Scripps College realistic for my child?

Scripps College admits 38% of applicants, so 720–770 SAT Math is target range and below 720 is a reach. Then check the $36,294 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Scripps College?

Scripps College accepts about 38% of applicants out of roughly 3,199 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.

Is Scripps College test-optional?

Yes. Scripps College is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Scripps College?

About 87% of students at Scripps College graduate within six years, and 68% finish in four years. 94% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Scripps College?

Scripps College's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 47%, compared with its overall rate of 38%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.

What does Scripps College look for in applicants?

Scripps College rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and character and personal qualities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Scripps College a public or private school, and where is it located?

Scripps College is a private nonprofit institution located in Claremont, California.

What are the most popular majors at Scripps College?

The largest undergraduate majors at Scripps College by annual graduates are Political Science and Government, Natural Resources Conservation and Research and Research and Experimental Psychology. The school awards about 137 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Scripps College safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Scripps College reported 21 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 18.9 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Scripps College?

At Scripps College, 97% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Scripps College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers