Claremont McKenna vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Grinnell? 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 Claremont McKenna College than Grinnell ($33,895 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 19.1% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($16,842 vs. $20,830).
• Grinnell College is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claremont McKenna (about $126 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Grinnell than at Claremont McKenna College (about $126 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Claremont McKenna College (94% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($52,605 vs. $49,077).

Claremont McKenna vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 40 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Grinnell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have the same average high school GPA (3.89) as students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Claremont McKenna vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Grinnell? 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 Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $38,300 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $1,797 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($13,170 vs. $14,967).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($136 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.