Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Claremont, California
11.1% Acceptance Rate
Claremont McKenna College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
11.1%Acceptance Rate
3.89Avg GPA
1514Avg SAT
34Avg ACT
$82,127Annual Cost
$104,736Grad Salary
19.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
11.1%
Avg GPA
3.89
Avg SAT
1514
Avg ACT
34
Selectivity
Extremely Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1450–1560
ACT Middle 50%
33–35
Need-Based Aid
19.5% receive Pell
Claremont McKenna College (CMC), founded in 1946, is a top liberal arts college specializing in economics, government, and international relations. Part of the Claremont Colleges, CMC offers a distinctive Silicon Valley Program in tech policy. The college's Athenaeum hosts world leaders for dinners with students. CMC's research institutes focus on leadership and the American ideal.
CMC's strong ties to D.C. and Wall Street provide internship pipelines. Alumni include Fortune 500 executives and diplomats. The college's emphasis on practical wisdom combining theory and action prepares graduates to lead in business and public service.
Claremont McKenna College Acceptance Rate
Claremont McKenna College accepted just 11.1% of applicants last cycle, roughly 11 out of every 100 who applied, placing it among the most selective schools among colleges in California.
What Claremont McKenna College Admissions Looks For
- Class Rank: Admitted students typically finish in the top 2–5% of their graduating class.
- Curriculum Rigor: AP, IB, or Honors coursework is treated as a baseline, not a bonus.
- A Defined Strength: Leadership, original research, or a national-level achievement carries more weight than a long activity list.
Selectivity at a Glance
Extremely Competitive
Selectivity scale: Extremely Competitive — 11.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
At this tier, meeting the average GPA and test scores is the baseline, not the differentiator. Your essays and recommendations are what separate you from the rest of an already-strong pool.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.44
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Claremont McKenna College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Claremont McKenna College is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Regular Decision
January 10
Decision by: April 1
Early Decision II
January 10
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit priority: 2025/12/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Claremont McKenna College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Claremont McKenna College is 3.89. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.59 and 3.89, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 4.09–4.29.Claremont McKenna College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.49 – 3.68
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.48
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- CMC's acceptance rate sits at approximately 11%, placing it firmly in the ultra-selective tier, yet its admissions culture is notably more career- and impact-oriented than its peer institutions - applicants with internship experience, policy research backgrounds, or entrepreneurial ventures are disproportionately successful.
- The college's 11 research institutes and centers (including the Rose Institute of State and Local Government and the Financial Economics Institute) offer undergraduates rare access to faculty-directed applied research - referencing a specific institute in your "Why CMC" essay demonstrates the kind of intentional fit the committee rewards.
- CMC has extended its test-optional policy through at least Fall 2025 entry; if your SAT or ACT scores are below the competitive median (approximately 1550+), omitting them and investing that energy into stronger essays and recommendations is the strategically correct decision.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Claremont McKenna College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Claremont McKenna College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Claremont McKenna College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Claremont McKenna College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Claremont McKenna College Without SAT or ACT?
Claremont McKenna College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Claremont McKenna College Average SAT Score: 1514
The average SAT score of admitted students at Claremont McKenna College is 1514 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1514 — Extremely Competitive
This places Claremont McKenna College in the top tier nationally for SAT scores. It sits well above the 75th percentile of all US test-takers.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1560 SAT or 35 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Claremont McKenna College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1450, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Claremont McKenna College. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 765 | 740 | 790 |
| SAT Reading | 740 | 710 | 770 |
| SAT Composite | 1514 | 1450 | 1560 |
Below 1450, you're behind most admitted students; at 1560 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1500
Can I get into Claremont McKenna College with a 1550 SAT?
A 1550 SAT puts you ahead of most of Claremont McKenna College's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Claremont McKenna College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Claremont McKenna College is 34.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 34 — Extremely Competitive
An average of 34 places Claremont McKenna College among the most ACT-competitive schools nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 32 | 30 | 34 |
| ACT English | 35 | 34 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 34 | 33 | 35 |
Can I get into Claremont McKenna College with a 35 ACT?
A 35 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Claremont McKenna College's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Claremont McKenna College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Claremont McKenna College
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
To succeed at a world-class institution like Claremont McKenna College, move beyond 'well-rounded' and show you're institutionally necessary, with a specific, undeniable strength rather than a broad set of decent ones.
Leadership Is the Core Currency at CMC
Unlike most liberal arts colleges, Claremont McKenna's entire institutional mission centers on preparing students for responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions - and this mission directly shapes how the admissions committee evaluates every application. Your extracurricular profile must demonstrate authentic, sustained leadership: not title-holding, but actual initiative, decision-making under pressure, and measurable impact on a team or community. Think founding a civic organization, running a debate program, captaining a team while mentoring younger players, or leading a policy initiative at the local or state level. Leadership is not one box to check - it is the lens through which all your activities will be read.
Nail the Two Required Supplemental Essays
CMC requires two specific supplemental essays that go far beyond generic "why this college" prompts. The first asks you to articulate why CMC's mission - thoughtful leadership in business, government, and the professions - aligns with your goals. This requires genuine research: reference CMC's research institutes (the Rose Institute, Keck Center, or Salvatori Center), specific faculty, or academic programs. The second essay tests your intellectual openness by asking about a time you genuinely changed your mind through dialogue with someone holding a different viewpoint. CMC's Open Academy is built around viewpoint diversity and constructive dialogue - applicants who demonstrate intellectual humility and curiosity in this essay resonate deeply with the committee.
Use All Three Recommendation Letters Strategically
CMC formally requires a counselor letter, a teacher letter, and an extracurricular letter from a non-family member - and unlike many peer institutions, all three are explicitly evaluated. The extracurricular letter is a distinctive opportunity: choose a coach, employer, religious leader, or community supervisor who can speak to your leadership character, maturity, and interpersonal skills in a context outside the classroom. This third letter often provides the most differentiated and human evidence of whether you will thrive in CMC's intimate, collaborative, results-oriented community of roughly 1,400 undergraduates.
Apply Binding Early Decision and Demonstrate CMC-Specific Interest
CMC offers ED I and ED II only - there is no Early Action option. Binding ED signals to the committee that you genuinely understand and are committed to CMC's unique identity among the Claremont Colleges consortium. Attend virtual information sessions, note specific faculty or programs in your essays, and engage with regional admissions officers when possible. CMC's committee actively assesses whether each applicant is a right match for its culture - students who have done their homework on what makes CMC different from Pomona, Pitzer, or Harvey Mudd are noticeably stronger candidates at the committee table.
Expert Insight: Treating CMC as a generic liberal arts backup or submitting essays that could be reused for any small college in the consortium will disqualify your application more quickly than a mediocre GPA - CMC's committee reads for mission alignment on every page, and applicants who cannot clearly articulate why CMC's specific focus on leadership, economics, and civic engagement fits their goals will not advance past the first read.
Claremont McKenna College Profile
Full Name
Claremont McKenna College
City
Claremont
State
California
ZIP Code
91711-6400
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a Claremont McKenna College Degree Worth It?
At $82,127/year against a $104,736 median graduate salary, Claremont McKenna College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $82,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.28%.
How much does a degree from Claremont McKenna College Cost?
The sticker price is $82,127/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
19.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 19.4% take federal loans at Claremont McKenna College. File your FAFSA early and list Claremont McKenna College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Claremont McKenna College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $104,736. That's about 158% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Claremont McKenna College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 1494 | 33 |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 1486 | 33 |
| Colby College | Waterville, ME | 1500 | 33 |
| Amherst College | Amherst, MA | 1494 | 33 |
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill, MA | 1501 | 34 |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | 1473 | 33 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Claremont McKenna College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 1507 | 33 |
| University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | 1510 | 34 |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME | 1514 | 34 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Claremont McKenna College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 1554 | 35 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 1553 | 35 |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 1553 | 35 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | 1553 | 35 |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | 1547 | 35 |
Degree Programs at Claremont McKenna College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Claremont McKenna College Admissions
Claremont McKenna College graduates typically earn around $104,736 a year, on the higher end depending on industry.
At about $82,127 a year, Claremont McKenna College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Claremont McKenna College's Pell Grant rate of 19.5% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Claremont McKenna College admits 11.1% of applicants, placing it firmly in the highly competitive range.
Admitted students at Claremont McKenna College average a 3.89 GPA.
Claremont McKenna College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.59 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.49, Claremont McKenna College becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Claremont McKenna College — aim above 1514, ideally within the 1450–1560 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Claremont McKenna College is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants.
The application fee is 70. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit priority: 2025/12/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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