UC Berkeley vs. Claremont McKenna

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Claremont McKenna Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Claremont McKenna? 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 University of California Berkeley than Claremont McKenna ($16,538 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 12.3% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($20,830 vs. $23,750).
• Claremont McKenna College is 315.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $51,633 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at Claremont McKenna than at University of California Berkeley (about $17,433 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Berkeley than at Claremont McKenna College (53% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 77.7% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($52,605 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. Claremont McKenna Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 100 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at UC Berkeley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Claremont McKenna College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Claremont McKenna - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UC Berkeley (3.87).
• UC Berkeley has a higher acceptance rate (11%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

UC Berkeley vs. Claremont McKenna Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Claremont McKenna? 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 University of California Berkeley's (90%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $23,100 more per year than UC Berkeley graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $74,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $767 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($14,200 vs. $14,967).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($146 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.