Claremont McKenna vs. USC

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern California is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or USC? 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 USC ($33,895 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 4.3% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($19,931 vs. $20,830).
• University of Southern California is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claremont McKenna (about $4,117 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at USC than at Claremont McKenna College (about $4,117 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Claremont McKenna College (70% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 12.2% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($52,605 vs. $46,897).

Claremont McKenna vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 20 points higher than at USC (1500).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at USC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at USC (3.83).
• USC has a higher acceptance rate (9.8%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 43.3% at USC.

Claremont McKenna vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and USC? 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 University of Southern California's (90%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than USC graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $85,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $7,408 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($14,967 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($154 vs. $231).

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.