Claremont McKenna College combines highly selective admission with exceptional post-graduation earnings, ranking at the 99.3rd percentile for return on investment. Graduates earn $54,324 more annually than peer institution medians while maintaining debt levels $11,500 below peer averages, creating outstanding long-term financial value.
With exceptional tier status, driven by outstanding earnings relative to educational costs
With below-average performance, reflecting higher net costs relative to peer institutions
With above-average performance, reflecting meaningful enrollment of Pell-eligible students despite selective admission
With above-average outcomes, indicating solid economic advancement for diverse students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisClaremont McKenna College delivers exceptional earnings relative to educational investment, generating $28,627 in earnings beyond expectations and ranking at the 97.2nd percentile nationally on this critical measure. Graduates earn a median of $104,736 ten years after enrollment, reaching the 99th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes.
The earnings distribution spans from $66,067 at the 25th percentile to $182,223 at the 75th percentile, reflecting strong outcomes across multiple career paths. Median student debt remains manageable at $13,500, well below the peer median of $25,000, resulting in an excellent debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.13.
Students seeking exceptional post-graduation earnings and return on investment at a highly selective liberal arts college. Well-suited for academically exceptional students who can navigate competitive admission (11.1% acceptance rate) and afford higher net costs.
Particularly strong for students interested in Applied Economics and government, where Claremont McKenna delivers standout outcomes.
Claremont McKenna College admits approximately 11.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 9 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places the institution among the most selective liberal arts colleges in the United States, classified in the Highly Selective tier (10-25% admission rate). The peer median admission rate of 75.6% highlights the dramatic difference between Claremont McKenna's selectivity and typical four-year institutions.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Claremont McKenna College's published cost of attendance reaches $82,127 annually, including $64,150 in tuition and fees, $19,650 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $27,384 after financial aid, representing substantial savings of $54,743 through institutional and federal aid programs. This net price positions the institution $5,572 higher than the peer median of $21,812, reflecting premium pricing typical of highly selective liberal arts colleges.
The significant gap between sticker price and average net price demonstrates Claremont McKenna's commitment to financial aid, though families should understand that net costs vary dramatically by income level. The institution's financial aid programs reduce costs substantially for most students, though the below-average affordability ranking at the 28.2nd percentile indicates higher relative costs compared to peer institutions. Students and families should carefully evaluate the premium cost against the exceptional earnings outcomes when considering enrollment.
Applied Economics.
118 graduates
American Government and Politics (United States).
36 graduates
Claremont McKenna College offers 2 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, both demonstrating strong national positioning. Applied Economics stands out as the institution's premier program, ranking #7 nationally and #1 in California with 118 graduates earning a median of $115,832 and achieving an exceptional value score of 97.0. This program represents 76.6% of graduates with earnings data.
American Government and Politics, while serving fewer students with 36 graduates, focuses on public service and policy careers with median earnings of $41,025. Though this program ranks #221 nationally, it serves students pursuing careers in government, non-profit work, and graduate school preparation. Both programs reflect the institution's liberal arts mission while delivering measurably different economic outcomes, allowing students to choose paths aligned with their career priorities and financial goals.
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Santa Clara University Higher acceptance rate (32.7 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | CA | 44% | $109,183 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Claremont Mckenna College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/claremont-mckenna-college/analysis.
Exceptional return on investment performance
Claremont McKenna College leads with exceptional return performance at the 99.3rd percentile nationally, ranking among the highest institutions we track for post-graduation value. Located in Claremont, California, this small private liberal arts college maintains highly selective admission standards with an 11.1% acceptance rate while delivering outstanding economic outcomes.
The institution enrolls 19.5% Pell-eligible students, positioning it above average on access measures despite its selectivity. Graduates earn $28,627 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 97.2nd percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $104,736 ten years after enrollment, placing Claremont McKenna at the 99th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. Compared to peer institutions with a median of $50,412, graduates earn $54,324 more annually.
This combination of selective admissions and exceptional earnings outcomes creates one of the strongest return profiles in higher education.
Even among selective liberal arts colleges, this acceptance rate represents significant competition for admission. Students should understand that exceptional academic credentials alone do not guarantee admission at this selectivity level. Many highly qualified applicants—including those with perfect test scores and outstanding academic records—will not receive offers simply due to the volume of competitive applications. For this reason, students considering Claremont McKenna should treat it as a reach school regardless of their qualifications and build comprehensive college lists including institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes.
Claremont McKenna College graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth trajectory from early to mid-career. Median earnings rise from $87,603 six years after enrollment to $105,942 at eight years and $104,736 at ten years, representing 19.6% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes reflect a robust ten-year cohort of 136 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures.
The institution generates $28,627 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Claremont McKenna at the 97.2nd percentile for this critical value-added measure. Earnings outcomes vary significantly by program choice, with Applied Economics graduates earning $115,832 while American Government and Politics graduates earn $41,025. The substantial earnings range from $66,067 to $182,223 reflects diverse post-graduation pathways including graduate school continuation, with approximately 25.3% of graduates pursuing advanced degrees. Combined with exceptional test score preparation and small cohort sizes, these outcomes demonstrate consistent preparation for high-earning careers across multiple fields.
California State University Maritime Academy Higher acceptance rate (87.6 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | CA | 99% | $94,784 | Compare |
University Of San Diego Same state (97 miles away) (earnings difference: 17.4%); same institution type | CA | 47% | $86,522 | Compare |
University Of Southern California Same state (33 miles away) (earnings difference: 11.7%); same institution type | CA | 10% | $92,498 | Compare |
University Of California-San Diego Same state (89 miles away) (earnings difference: 18.9%) | CA | 25% | $84,943 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Berea College Similar quality tier (#117 ranked) | KY | 33% | $43,150 | #117 | Compare |
Babson College Similar quality tier (#131 ranked) | MA | 20% | $123,938 | #131 | Compare |
Mcphs University Similar quality tier (#148 ranked) | MA | 85% | $125,557 | #148 | Compare |
Washington And Lee University Similar quality tier (#150 ranked) | VA | 17% | $94,810 | #150 | Compare |
Harvey Mudd College Similar quality tier in West (#152 ranked) | CA | 13% | $138,687 | #152 | Compare |
