Claremont McKenna vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Claremont McKenna vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin ($33,895 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 6.3% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($19,510 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $614 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Oberlin College (about $614 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Claremont McKenna College (99% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 47% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($52,605 vs. $35,780).

Claremont McKenna vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Claremont McKenna or Oberlin? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Oberlin and Claremont McKenna.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 80 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Claremont McKenna vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Oberlin? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Claremont McKenna College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $53,900 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $11,612 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($14,967 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($154 vs. $274).

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.