Claremont McKenna vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with Northwestern University in Evanston, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Northwestern? 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 Northwestern University than Claremont McKenna ($26,830 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 1.4% lower than at Northwestern University ($20,830 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claremont McKenna (about $342 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Northwestern than at Claremont McKenna College (about $342 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at Claremont McKenna College (53% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($64,429 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 20 points higher than at Claremont McKenna (1520).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Northwestern (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
• Claremont McKenna has a higher acceptance rate (9.6%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

Claremont McKenna vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Northwestern? 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Claremont McKenna College's (91%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Northwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $4,411 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($14,967 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($154 vs. $200).

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.