Claremont McKenna vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Claremont McKenna vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than Claremont McKenna ($29,981 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 12.4% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,240 vs. $20,830).
• Vassar College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claremont McKenna (about $3,050 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Vassar than at Claremont McKenna College (about $3,050 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Claremont McKenna College (55% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 9.2% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($57,443 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 20 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Claremont McKenna vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Claremont McKenna is the same as at Vassar College (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $39,400 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $813 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($14,967 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($154 vs. $163).

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.