More selective than 96% of California colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
29% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 16% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Claremont McKenna College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Claremont McKenna College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Claremont McKenna College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 720 | 770 |
| SAT math | 750 | 790 |
| ACT composite | 33 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1470 | 1560 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Claremont McKenna College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 10% | 720–770 | 750–790 | 33–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 11% | 710–770 | 740–790 | 33–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Claremont McKenna College compared with other California colleges?
Claremont McKenna College has the 5th-lowest acceptance rate of 92 California colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Institute of Technology | 3% | 94% | $16,075 |
| 2 | Stanford University | 4% | 92% | $13,807 |
| 3 | Pomona College | 7% | 93% | $19,285 |
| 4 | University of California-Los Angeles | 9% | 93% | $12,548 |
| 5 | Claremont McKenna College | 10% | 91% | $28,849 |
| 6 | University of Southern California | 10% | 92% | $32,740 |
| 7 | University of California-Berkeley | 11% | 93% | $13,481 |
| 8 | Harvey Mudd College | 13% | 92% | $35,924 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Oakland | 17% | — | $25,181 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All California colleges →
Who enrolls at Claremont McKenna College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Claremont McKenna College admissions questions
What is the Claremont McKenna College acceptance rate?
Claremont McKenna College accepts 10% of applicants, about 1 in 10. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 645 of 5,799 applicants were admitted.
Does Claremont McKenna College require the SAT or ACT?
Claremont McKenna College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 29% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 16% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Claremont McKenna College?
The middle 50% of Claremont McKenna College enrolled first-year students scored 1470–1560 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Claremont McKenna College?
50% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (321 of 645).
Is Claremont McKenna College getting harder to get into?
Claremont McKenna College accepted 10% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 11% for Fall 2023.
Is Claremont McKenna College the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Claremont McKenna College overview