Carleton College vs Claremont McKenna College
Carleton College and Claremont McKenna College, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Carleton, nestled in Northfield, Minnesota, boasts a tight-knit community with a strong focus on undergraduate research and a rigorous academic curriculum. Claremont McKenna, located in Claremont, California, emphasizes economics and public affairs, preparing students for careers in business, government, and law. While Carleton's acceptance rate is slightly higher, Claremont McKenna's student body is more diverse. Both colleges offer a wide range of majors, with Carleton excelling in the natural sciences and Claremont McKenna in the social sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Carleton College |
![]() Claremont McKenna College |
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Overview |
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Location | Northfield, Minnesota | Claremont, California |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Trimester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 95.0% | 98.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 17.5% | 11.2% |
Application fees | $70 | |
SAT range | 1408 - 1550 | 1420 - 1530 |
ACT range | 31 - 35 | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | 28.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 34.0% | 25.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,915 | 5,632 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,389 | 633 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 555 | 358 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 56.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $78,315 | $79,347 |
Average net price | $31,718 | $21,663 |
Tuition | $59,850 | $57,876 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,115
Meal plan:
$7,260
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Room/dormitory:
$9,626
Meal plan:
$8,280
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
65.0%
Average amount $45,715 |
65.0%
Average amount $33,141 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $3,914 |
17.0%
Average amount $3,535 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $14,334 |
22.0%
Average amount $7,870 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,044
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
1,416
Men 49.2% Women 50.8% |
Graduate students | N/A |
6
Men 66.7% Women 33.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 81.5% | 52.1% |
International students | 10.2% | 15.5% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,854 | 1,354 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota California Illinois New York Texas | California New York Washington Texas Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.4% | 92.7% |
Dropout rate | 8.3% | 7.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Physics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
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