Claremont McKenna vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Claremont McKenna vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley College than Claremont McKenna ($22,174 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 0.9% lower than at Wellesley College ($20,830 vs. $21,024).
• Claremont McKenna College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $804 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Wellesley College (about $804 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Claremont McKenna College (54% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 21.9% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($64,116 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 10 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Wellesley (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley 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. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Claremont McKenna vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Claremont McKenna College's (91%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $29,700 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $6,067 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($8,900 vs. $14,967).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($92 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.