Claremont McKenna vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Swarthmore College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Claremont McKenna ($22,469 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 2.5% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($20,308 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,486 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Swarthmore College (about $2,486 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Claremont McKenna College (57% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($61,634 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 10 points higher than at Claremont McKenna (1520).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Swarthmore (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Claremont McKenna (3.89).
• Claremont McKenna has a higher acceptance rate (9.6%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Claremont McKenna vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Claremont McKenna College's (91%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $32,000 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $4,533 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($14,967 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($154 vs. $201).

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.