Claremont McKenna vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Stanford? 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 Stanford University than Claremont McKenna ($25,078 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 2.3% lower than at Stanford University ($20,830 vs. $21,315).
• Claremont McKenna College is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stanford (about $2,070 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Stanford University (about $2,070 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Claremont McKenna College (61% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 19.3% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($62,755 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 30 points higher than at Claremont McKenna (1520).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Stanford (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
• Claremont McKenna has a higher acceptance rate (9.6%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Claremont McKenna vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Claremont McKenna College's (91%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $25,100 more per year than Claremont McKenna graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $97,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $2,492 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($12,475 vs. $14,967).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($128 vs. $154).

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.