Caltech vs. Claremont McKenna

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of Technology is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

Caltech vs. Claremont McKenna Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Claremont McKenna? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Institute of Technology than Claremont McKenna ($14,513 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 2.6% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($20,283 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $2,082 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Claremont McKenna than at California Institute of Technology (about $2,082 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology than at Claremont McKenna College (53% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 37.6% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($72,373 vs. $52,605).

Caltech vs. Claremont McKenna Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech or Claremont McKenna? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Claremont McKenna and Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 40 points higher than at Claremont McKenna (1520).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Claremont McKenna).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Claremont McKenna College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Claremont McKenna - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
• Claremont McKenna has a higher acceptance rate (9.6%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

Caltech vs. Claremont McKenna Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Claremont McKenna? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Claremont McKenna College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Caltech graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $85,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $617 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($14,350 vs. $14,967).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($148 vs. $154).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.