Claremont McKenna vs. Smith College

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Claremont McKenna vs. Smith College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Smith College? 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 Smith College than Claremont McKenna ($27,305 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 7.7% lower than at Smith College ($20,830 vs. $22,570).
• Claremont McKenna College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $2,802 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Smith College (about $2,802 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Claremont McKenna College (67% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 11.6% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($58,725 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Smith College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 40 points higher than at Smith College (1480).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Smith College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Smith College 1420/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Smith College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Smith College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
• Smith College has a higher acceptance rate (21%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

Claremont McKenna vs. Smith College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Smith College? 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 Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $48,900 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $4,033 lower median loan debt than Smith College graduates ($14,967 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith College graduates ($154 vs. $196).

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.