Claremont McKenna vs. MHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Holyoke College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Mount Holyoke College is in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Mount Holyoke College 9:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. MHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or MHC? 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 Mount Holyoke College than Claremont McKenna ($32,526 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Holyoke College are 5.5% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($19,684 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $962 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Mount Holyoke College (about $962 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Claremont McKenna College (77% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 0.4% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($52,605 vs. $52,418).

Claremont McKenna vs. MHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 60 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at MHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Mount Holyoke College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; MHC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; MHC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at MHC (3.87).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 27.2% at MHC.

Claremont McKenna vs. MHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and MHC? 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $47,800 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $6,239 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($14,967 vs. $21,206).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($154 vs. $219).

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.