Claremont McKenna vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

Claremont McKenna College is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (1,393 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College than Claremont McKenna ($32,172 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 18.6% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($16,960 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 26.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $14,396 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.9% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Westmont College (about $14,396 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Claremont McKenna College (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 35% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($52,605 vs. $38,956).

Claremont McKenna vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 170 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Claremont McKenna vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Westmont College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $43,200 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $10,156 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($14,967 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($154 vs. $259).

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.