Skip to content

Claremont McKenna College vs Occidental College

Claremont McKenna College is a private college in Claremont, CA, and Occidental College is a private college in Los Angeles, CA. Claremont McKenna College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 10% of applicants against 44% at Occidental College. Claremont McKenna College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $28,849 a year against $38,263 at Occidental College. About 93% of students graduate at Claremont McKenna College, compared with 83% at Occidental College. Ten years after enrolling, Claremont McKenna College alumni earn a median of about $104,736, against $75,951 for Occidental College.

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, CA · Private

Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Claremont, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,388
1,877
Acceptance rate
10%
44%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1470–1560
1380–1520
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
31–34
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,849
$38,263
Full cost / yr
$86,500
$84,800
In-state tuition
$67,980
$66,274
Out-of-state tuition
$67,980
$66,274
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,308
$20,705
$30k - $48k
$7,360
$17,655
$48k - $75k
$16,389
$21,468
$75k - $110k
$19,325
$28,033
Over $110k
$52,295
$54,959
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
83%
Freshman retention
98%
90%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$87,603
$52,209
Median earnings (10 yr)
$104,736
$75,951
Median debt at graduation
$13,500
$23,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
18%
17%
First-generation students
Not reported
18%
International students
15%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 10
Jan 10

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Claremont McKenna College or Occidental College harder to get into?
Claremont McKenna College is harder to get into. It admits about 10% of applicants, compared with 44% at Occidental College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Claremont McKenna College or Occidental College?
Claremont McKenna College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $28,849 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $38,263 at Occidental College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Claremont McKenna College and Occidental College?
Before aid, Occidental College costs about $84,800 a year and Claremont McKenna College about $86,500. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Claremont McKenna College or Occidental College?
Claremont McKenna College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $15,308 there, against about $20,705 at Occidental College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Claremont McKenna College or Occidental College?
Occidental College is the larger of the two, with about 1,877 undergraduates against 1,388 at Claremont McKenna College.
Does Claremont McKenna College or Occidental College have a better graduation rate?
Claremont McKenna College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 83% at Occidental College.
Do graduates of Claremont McKenna College or Occidental College earn more?
Claremont McKenna College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $104,736 ten years after enrolling, against about $75,951 for Occidental College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Claremont McKenna College and Occidental College require SAT or ACT scores?
Claremont McKenna College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Occidental College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Claremont McKenna College and Occidental College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1470–1560 at Claremont McKenna College and 1380–1520 at Occidental College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school