CAMPUS · CLAREMONT, CA · PRIVATE

Claremont McKenna College

11.1%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

REACH

Claremont McKenna College is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

11.1%

of 5,799 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$104,736

across all majors

Claremont McKenna College at a Glance

1,413

Total Enrollment

$13,500

Median Debt

19.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Claremont McKenna College

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	710	770	740
SAT Math	740	790	765
SAT Total	1450	1560	1505
ACT Composite	33	35	34

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	5,799
Students Admitted	645
Students Enrolled	321
Yield Rate	49.8%

Claremont McKenna College Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News Liberal Arts Colleges	#8	2025

Claremont McKenna College Overview

Claremont McKenna College is a private university in Claremont, CA with 1,413 students. Its 11.1% acceptance rate places it among America's most selective universities. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Multidisciplinary, and Psychology.

Full Name	Claremont McKenna College
Location	Claremont, CA 91711-6400
Type	Private
Website	cmc.edu/
Total Enrollment	1,413
Undergrad Enrollment	1,410
Female Students	51.2%

Is Claremont McKenna College a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 11.1%, Claremont McKenna College is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	Claremont McKenna College Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at Claremont McKenna College

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

40.6%

Multidisciplinary

13.4%

Psychology

7.6%

Biological Sciences

7.1%

Philosophy/Religion

5.0%

Best Majors at Claremont McKenna College →

Student Demographics

White

35.7%

Black/African American

5.8%

Hispanic/Latino

16.2%

Asian

15.5%

International

15.3%

How to Get Into Claremont McKenna College

CMC is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1505+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, CMC wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1505

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

11.1%

Acceptance Rate

5,799

Total Applicants

What Claremont McKenna College Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Important
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Very Important
Talent Ability	Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Important
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Claremont McKenna College Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Claremont McKenna College ED I/II admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Decision	Nov 1
Early Decision II	Jan 10
Regular Decision	Jan 10

Early Decision: Claremont McKenna College offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Claremont McKenna College is your clear first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Claremont McKenna College

What is CMC's acceptance rate?

CMC has an acceptance rate of 11.1%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for CMC?

The middle 50% SAT range at CMC is 1450-1560. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 33-35. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at CMC?

The most popular majors at CMC by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (40.6%), Multidisciplinary (13.4%), Psychology (7.6%), Biological Sciences (7.1%), Philosophy/Religion (5.0%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to CMC?

CMC accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.