Claremont McKenna vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

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

Whitman College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (1,561 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna or Whitman 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 Claremont McKenna College than Whitman College ($33,895 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 27.6% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($15,080 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $3,930 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Whitman College (about $3,930 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Claremont McKenna College (94% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 29.9% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($52,605 vs. $40,489).

Claremont McKenna vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 120 points higher than at Whitman College (1400).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Whitman College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Whitman College (3.68).
• Whitman College has a higher acceptance rate (38.1%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Claremont McKenna vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna and Whitman 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 Whitman College's (86%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $40,900 more per year than Whitman College graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $2,533 lower median loan debt than Whitman College graduates ($14,967 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whitman College graduates ($154 vs. $180).

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.