Claremont McKenna vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Clara University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or SCU? 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 SCU ($33,895 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 4.5% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($19,893 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 10.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $6,687 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Santa Clara University (about $6,687 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at Claremont McKenna College (71% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 85.4% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($52,605 vs. $28,368).

Claremont McKenna vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 100 points higher than at SCU (1420).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at SCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 17.7% at SCU.

Claremont McKenna vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and SCU? 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 Santa Clara University's (85%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than SCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $81,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $6,533 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($14,967 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($154 vs. $222).

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.