Claremont McKenna vs. Oxy

Comparable Facts

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

Occidental College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Claremont McKenna vs. Oxy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Oxy? 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 Oxy ($33,895 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 7.6% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($19,252 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $1,706 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Occidental College (about $1,706 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Claremont McKenna College (75% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 44.5% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($52,605 vs. $36,400).

Claremont McKenna vs. Oxy Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 70 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Occidental College 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Occidental College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Oxy - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 17.8% at Oxy.

Claremont McKenna vs. Oxy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Oxy? 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 Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $41,200 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $8,685 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($14,967 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($154 vs. $244).

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.