Claremont McKenna vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Hamilton College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,031 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College than Claremont McKenna ($28,719 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 15.9% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($17,510 vs. $20,830).
• Hamilton College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claremont McKenna (about $980 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Hamilton College than at Claremont McKenna College (about $980 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Claremont McKenna College (56% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 5.5% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($55,511 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 20 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Hamilton College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Claremont McKenna vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Hamilton 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).

• Claremont McKenna College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $793 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($14,967 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($154 vs. $162).

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.