UCSD vs. Claremont McKenna

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

UCSD vs. Claremont McKenna Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than Claremont McKenna ($14,047 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 8.9% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,970 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 305.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $51,222 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.4% higher at Claremont McKenna than at University of California San Diego (about $17,022 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at Claremont McKenna College (59% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 104.2% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($52,605 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. Claremont McKenna Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 140 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Claremont McKenna College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Claremont McKenna - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

UCSD vs. Claremont McKenna Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's (85%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $29,900 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $3,533 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($14,967 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($154 vs. $191).

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.