Skip to content

Claremont McKenna College vs Saint Mary's College of California

Claremont McKenna College is a private college in Claremont, CA, and Saint Mary's College of California is a private college in Moraga, CA. Claremont McKenna College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 10% of applicants against 87% at Saint Mary's College of California. Claremont McKenna College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $28,849 a year against $30,378 at Saint Mary's College of California. About 93% of students graduate at Claremont McKenna College, compared with 70% at Saint Mary's College of California. Ten years after enrolling, Claremont McKenna College alumni earn a median of about $104,736, against $78,812 for Saint Mary's College of California.

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, CA · Private

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Claremont, CA
Moraga, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,388
1,947
Acceptance rate
10%
87%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.35–3.85
SAT (middle 50%)
1470–1560
1070–1253
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
21–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,849
$30,378
Full cost / yr
$86,500
$77,659
In-state tuition
$67,980
$57,803
Out-of-state tuition
$67,980
$57,803
Application fee
$70
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,308
$19,462
$30k - $48k
$7,360
$20,127
$48k - $75k
$16,389
$23,303
$75k - $110k
$19,325
$29,049
Over $110k
$52,295
$40,581
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
70%
Freshman retention
98%
85%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$87,603
$60,388
Median earnings (10 yr)
$104,736
$78,812
Median debt at graduation
$13,500
$23,691
Student body
Pell grant recipients
18%
27%
First-generation students
Not reported
26%
International students
15%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 10
Jan 15

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 Saint Mary's College of California harder to get into?
Claremont McKenna College is harder to get into. It admits about 10% of applicants, compared with 87% at Saint Mary's College of California. 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 Saint Mary's College of California?
Claremont McKenna College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $28,849 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $30,378 at Saint Mary's College of California. 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 Saint Mary's College of California?
Before aid, Saint Mary's College of California costs about $77,659 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 Saint Mary's College of California?
Claremont McKenna College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $15,308 there, against about $19,462 at Saint Mary's College of California. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Claremont McKenna College or Saint Mary's College of California?
Saint Mary's College of California is the larger of the two, with about 1,947 undergraduates against 1,388 at Claremont McKenna College.
Does Claremont McKenna College or Saint Mary's College of California have a better graduation rate?
Claremont McKenna College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 70% at Saint Mary's College of California.
Do graduates of Claremont McKenna College or Saint Mary's College of California earn more?
Claremont McKenna College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $104,736 ten years after enrolling, against about $78,812 for Saint Mary's College of California. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Claremont McKenna College and Saint Mary's College of California require SAT or ACT scores?
Claremont McKenna College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Saint Mary's College of California is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Claremont McKenna College and Saint Mary's College of California look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1470–1560 at Claremont McKenna College and 1070–1253 at Saint Mary's College of California. 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