Cal State Long Beach vs. Claremont McKenna

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Claremont McKenna Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach 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 State University Long Beach than Claremont McKenna ($10,607 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 25.1% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($15,612 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 824.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $60,630 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 240.8% higher at Claremont McKenna than at California State University Long Beach (about $48,030 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at Claremont McKenna College (76% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 346% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($52,605 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Claremont McKenna Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Long Beach 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 State Long Beach.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 390 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 23 at Cal State Long Beach).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Claremont McKenna College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Claremont McKenna - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
• Cal State Long Beach has a higher acceptance rate (46.3%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Claremont McKenna Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach 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 State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $46,700 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $33 lower median loan debt than Cal State Long Beach graduates ($14,967 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Long Beach graduates ($154 vs. $155).

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.