Claremont McKenna vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (4,757 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or PLNU? 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 PLNU ($33,895 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 34.5% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($13,650 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 47% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLNU (about $21,730 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $21,730 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at Claremont McKenna College (94% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 154.1% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($52,605 vs. $20,702).

Claremont McKenna vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 250 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at PLNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

Claremont McKenna vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and PLNU? 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 Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $44,300 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $10,033 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($14,967 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($154 vs. $258).

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.