Claremont McKenna vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Claremont McKenna vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University than Claremont McKenna ($25,186 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 5.6% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($20,830 vs. $22,054).
• Claremont McKenna College is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Vanderbilt (about $482 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Vanderbilt University (about $482 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Claremont McKenna College (67% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 22.4% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($64,404 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 20 points higher than at Claremont McKenna (1520).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vanderbilt (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have the same average high school GPA (3.89) as students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Claremont McKenna has a higher acceptance rate (9.6%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Claremont McKenna vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Vanderbilt University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Claremont McKenna College's (91%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than Vanderbilt graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $967 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($14,000 vs. $14,967).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($144 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.