Claremont McKenna vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carleton College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College than Claremont McKenna ($28,047 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 15.6% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($17,586 vs. $20,830).
• Carleton College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claremont McKenna (about $912 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Carleton College than at Claremont McKenna College (about $912 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Claremont McKenna College (59% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 8.1% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($56,846 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Claremont McKenna or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College and Claremont McKenna.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 10 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Carleton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Claremont McKenna vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Carleton College? 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Claremont McKenna College's (91%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $32,200 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $4,533 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,967 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($154 vs. $201).

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.