Claremont McKenna vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University than Claremont McKenna ($14,704 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 9.6% lower than at San Diego State University ($20,830 vs. $23,030).
• Claremont McKenna College is 678.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $59,252 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 218.7% higher at Claremont McKenna than at San Diego State University (about $46,652 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego State University than at Claremont McKenna College (47% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 336.4% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($52,605 vs. $12,053).

Claremont McKenna vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Claremont McKenna or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State and Claremont McKenna.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 320 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Claremont McKenna vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $44,400 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $382 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($14,967 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($154 vs. $158).

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.