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Claremont McKenna College vs Vanguard University of Southern California

Claremont McKenna College is a private college in Claremont, CA. Vanguard University of Southern California is a private university in Costa Mesa, CA. Claremont McKenna College admits about 10% of applicants and Vanguard University of Southern California about 62%, making Claremont McKenna College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $21,241 a year at Vanguard University of Southern California after aid, and about $28,849 at Claremont McKenna College. About 93% of students graduate at Claremont McKenna College, compared with 56% at Vanguard University of Southern California. Ten years after enrolling, Claremont McKenna College alumni earn a median of about $104,736, against $59,541 for Vanguard University of Southern California.

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, CA · Private

Vanguard University of Southern California

Costa Mesa, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Claremont, CA
Costa Mesa, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,388
1,933
Acceptance rate
10%
62%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.4–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
1470–1560
980–1200
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
19–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,849
$21,241
Full cost / yr
$86,500
$52,665
In-state tuition
$67,980
$41,700
Out-of-state tuition
$67,980
$41,700
Application fee
$70
$45
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,308
$17,225
$30k - $48k
$7,360
$18,462
$48k - $75k
$16,389
$18,976
$75k - $110k
$19,325
$24,117
Over $110k
$52,295
$27,684
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
56%
Freshman retention
98%
70%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$87,603
$43,464
Median earnings (10 yr)
$104,736
$59,541
Median debt at graduation
$13,500
$22,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
18%
44%
First-generation students
Not reported
36%
International students
15%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Jan 10
Mar 2

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 Vanguard University of Southern California harder to get into?
Claremont McKenna College is harder to get into. It admits about 10% of applicants, compared with 62% at Vanguard University of Southern 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 Vanguard University of Southern California?
Vanguard University of Southern California is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,241 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,849 at Claremont McKenna 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 Vanguard University of Southern California?
Before aid, Vanguard University of Southern California costs about $52,665 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 Vanguard University of Southern California?
Claremont McKenna College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $15,308 there, against about $17,225 at Vanguard University of Southern 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 Vanguard University of Southern California?
Vanguard University of Southern California is the larger of the two, with about 1,933 undergraduates against 1,388 at Claremont McKenna College.
Does Claremont McKenna College or Vanguard University of Southern California have a better graduation rate?
Claremont McKenna College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 56% at Vanguard University of Southern California.
Do graduates of Claremont McKenna College or Vanguard University of Southern California earn more?
Claremont McKenna College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $104,736 ten years after enrolling, against about $59,541 for Vanguard University of Southern California. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Claremont McKenna College and Vanguard University of Southern California require SAT or ACT scores?
Claremont McKenna College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Vanguard University of Southern California is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Claremont McKenna College and Vanguard University of Southern California look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1470–1560 at Claremont McKenna College and 980–1200 at Vanguard University of Southern California. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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