Cal Poly vs. Claremont McKenna

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA with Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

Cal Poly vs. Claremont McKenna Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly 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 Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Claremont McKenna ($17,453 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 9.8% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,792 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 400% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $54,384 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.1% higher at Claremont McKenna than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $33,315 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than at Claremont McKenna College (48% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 266.9% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($52,605 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Claremont McKenna Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly 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 Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 200 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Cal Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Claremont McKenna College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Claremont McKenna - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
• Cal Poly has a higher acceptance rate (31.3%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

Cal Poly vs. Claremont McKenna Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly 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 Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's (75%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $28,400 more per year than Cal Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $69,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $3,699 lower median loan debt than Cal Poly graduates ($14,967 vs. $18,666).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal Poly graduates ($154 vs. $193).

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.