Claremont McKenna vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

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

Washington and Lee University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee University than Claremont McKenna ($23,055 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington and Lee University are 10.3% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,685 vs. $20,830).
• Washington and Lee University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claremont McKenna (about $65 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Washington and Lee than at Claremont McKenna College (about $65 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Claremont McKenna College (64% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 21.6% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($63,945 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 30 points higher than at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Washington and Lee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Washington and Lee (3.87).
• Washington and Lee has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Claremont McKenna vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee University (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Washington and Lee graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $89,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $6,533 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($14,967 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($154 vs. $222).

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.