Students at Claremont McKenna College achieve some of the strongest financial outcomes in higher education, earning far more than similar students at other institutions nationwide.
Graduates see exceptional earnings advantages that place the college among the very top institutions for long-term return on investment.
Claremont McKenna College stands out as one of the most financially rewarding undergraduate experiences available, though it comes with a substantial price tag. This small private liberal arts college in California consistently delivers exceptional earnings outcomes that place it in the top 1% nationally for long-term financial returns. Graduates earn a median of $104,736 ten years after enrollment, with many achieving significantly higher earnings that reflect the institution's strong connections to finance, consulting, and other high-paying career paths.
What makes Claremont McKenna particularly distinctive is its ability to generate earnings that far exceed expectations. Graduates earn roughly $28,628 more than similar students at other institutions, representing one of the strongest earnings advantages we track among all colleges and universities. This premium reflects both the quality of education and the powerful alumni networks that open doors to elite career opportunities.
The trade-off is affordability. While the college provides substantial financial aid to lower-income students, middle and upper-middle-income families face net prices that can reach nearly $50,000 annually. For families who can manage these costs, Claremont McKenna offers a clear path to exceptional long-term financial outcomes that justify the investment.
Claremont McKenna College's program portfolio reflects its focus on preparing students for high-impact careers in business, government, and related fields. Applied Economics stands out as the institution's flagship program, graduating 118 students annually with median earnings of $87,754 ten years out. This combination of substantial enrollment and strong financial outcomes makes Applied Economics a key driver of the college's exceptional overall return on investment.
American Government and Politics, while smaller with 36 graduates, demonstrates the college's strength in preparing students for careers in law, policy, and public service. Early earnings of $41,025 may appear modest, but graduates in this field typically see substantial earnings growth as they advance into senior government roles, legal careers, or policy positions that build on their undergraduate foundation.
The college's small size means that even programs with relatively modest enrollment can have significant impact on student outcomes. Claremont McKenna's intensive mentorship model, combined with strong alumni networks in finance, consulting, and government, helps students across all majors access competitive career opportunities that drive the institution's consistently exceptional earnings outcomes. This focused approach allows the college to maintain quality and career placement success across its entire program portfolio.
Claremont McKenna College delivers exceptional financial outcomes that rank among the very best in higher education. Graduates earn a median of $104,736 ten years after enrollment, placing the college in the 99th percentile nationally for long-term earnings. Even more impressive is how much graduates earn beyond expectations compared with similar students at other institutions—roughly $28,628 more than predicted, representing one of the strongest earnings advantages we track.
The college's program mix drives these outstanding results. Applied Economics, the institution's flagship program with 118 graduates, combines strong enrollment with exceptional earnings of $87,754 ten years out, creating substantial aggregate value. American Government and Politics, while smaller with 36 graduates, demonstrates the college's strength in preparing students for careers in law, policy, and public service, with early earnings around $41,025 that typically grow substantially over time.
Claremont McKenna's small size and elite positioning create unique advantages for career placement. The college's strong connections to Wall Street, consulting firms, and other high-paying industries help explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations by such wide margins. Students benefit from intensive mentorship, extensive alumni networks, and recruitment pipelines that lead directly to some of the most competitive and well-compensated career paths available to college graduates.
Affordability at Claremont McKenna College varies dramatically by family income, reflecting the institution's commitment to need-based aid alongside its premium positioning. Low-income students pay approximately $13,267 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $14,929—both representing substantial discounts from the full cost of attendance. However, high-income families pay nearly $49,293 per year, reflecting the true cost of this elite private education.
The college's financial aid strategy focuses resources on students with the greatest need while expecting higher-income families to pay closer to full price. This approach makes Claremont McKenna accessible to talented students from modest backgrounds while maintaining the revenue needed to support small class sizes, extensive faculty mentorship, and the career services that drive exceptional outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $52,129, reflecting the significant family investment required for many students.
What makes these costs more manageable is the exceptional earning power graduates achieve. With median earnings exceeding $104,000 ten years out and many graduates earning substantially more, families often find that the premium they pay generates strong long-term returns. The college's 0% federal loan default rate and rapid loan payoff patterns—most borrowers eliminate their debt within just two years—demonstrate that graduates typically achieve the financial success needed to justify their educational investment.
Claremont Mckenna College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
