UCI vs. Claremont McKenna

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Irvine 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 Irvine 19:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

UCI vs. Claremont McKenna Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI 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 Irvine than Claremont McKenna ($15,889 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 8.8% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,991 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 332.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $52,258 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at Claremont McKenna than at University of California Irvine (about $18,058 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Irvine than at Claremont McKenna College (55% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 127.6% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($52,605 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. Claremont McKenna Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI 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 UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 190 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Claremont McKenna College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Claremont McKenna - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UCI (3.75).
• UCI has a higher acceptance rate (28.6%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

UCI vs. Claremont McKenna Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI 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 Irvine's (85%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $36,000 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $2,033 lower median loan debt than UCI graduates ($14,967 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCI graduates ($154 vs. $175).

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.