Claremont McKenna College vs Westmont College

Claremont McKenna College and Westmont College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Claremont McKenna, nestled in the vibrant city of Claremont, California, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 13%, while Westmont, located in the picturesque coastal town of Santa Barbara, California, maintains a slightly higher acceptance rate of 48%. Claremont McKenna's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 14% of the population compared to Westmont's 5%. Both colleges excel in academics, with Claremont McKenna specializing in economics, political science, and public policy, while Westmont is renowned for its strengths in liberal arts and sciences. Discover more key differences between these two exceptional institutions by exploring the comprehensive comparison table provided, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Claremont McKenna College	Westmont College
Overview
Location	Claremont, California	Santa Barbara, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	98.0%	85.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	11.2%	79.0%
Application fees	$70
SAT range	1420 - 1530	1160 - 1460
ACT range	32 - 35	26 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	28.0%	18.0%
Students submitting ACT score	25.0%	12.0%
Total number of applicants	5,632	2,344
Total number of admissions given out	633	1,851
Admitted students who chose to enroll	358	333
Yield rate	56.6%	18.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$79,347	$61,110
Average net price	$21,663	$33,554
Tuition	$57,876	$47,450
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,626 Meal plan: $8,280	Room/dormitory: $9,400 Meal plan: $5,970
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	65.0% Average amount $33,141	99.0% Average amount $32,308
Students receiving federal student loan	17.0% Average amount $3,535	50.0% Average amount $5,052
Students taking out private loans	22.0% Average amount $7,870	25.0% Average amount $4,810

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,416 Men 49.2% Women 50.8%	1,238 Men 39.5% Women 60.5%
Graduate students	6 Men 66.7% Women 33.3%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	52.1%	31.1%
International students	15.5%	1.9%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	1,354	1,207
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California New York Washington Texas Colorado	California Washington Oregon Colorado Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Psychology Computer and Information Science	Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Visual & Performing Arts Social Sciences Physical Science Philosophy and Religious Studies
Students to faculty ratio	8:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	92.7%	73.4%
Dropout rate	7.3%	26.6%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $95,566 Year 2: $87,754 Year 3: $91,488 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $41,025 Year 3: N/A Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $100,075 Year 3: N/A	Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,792 Year 2: $53,775 Year 3: $66,978 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,638 Year 2: $40,402 Year 3: $40,054 Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,114 Year 2: $24,808 Year 3: $34,035 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,823 Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: N/A Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,883 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,121 Year 2: $22,192 Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,369 Year 2: $25,596 Year 3: N/A Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $26,933 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Claremont McKenna College (CMC) and Westmont College?

Claremont McKenna College is renowned for its focus on government, economics, and public affairs, offering a liberal arts education with a practical, leadership-oriented approach. Westmont College, on the other hand, emphasizes a broad liberal arts education rooted in Christian faith, with strong programs in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
How do the campus cultures differ between CMC and Westmont?

CMC fosters a highly engaged and ambitious student body with a strong emphasis on leadership, entrepreneurship, and public service. The atmosphere is often described as pre-professional and politically active. Westmont cultivates a close-knit, faith-based community with a focus on spiritual growth, service, and meaningful relationships. The campus culture is generally more relaxed and emphasizes community involvement.
What is the size and location of each college?

Claremont McKenna College is a small, highly selective liberal arts college located in Claremont, California, part of the Claremont Colleges consortium. It has an undergraduate enrollment of around 1,400 students. Westmont College is also a smaller liberal arts college, situated in Santa Barbara, California, with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,300 students. The location offers a beautiful coastal setting.
How does the Claremont Colleges consortium affect the CMC experience?

Being part of the Claremont Colleges consortium is a significant advantage for CMC students. It allows them to cross-register for courses at the other four undergraduate colleges (Pomona, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer) and the Claremont Graduate University, providing access to a much wider range of academic disciplines, resources, and social opportunities than a typical small college.
What is the role of faith at Westmont College?

Westmont College is a Christian liberal arts college, and faith is an integral part of the campus experience. While students of all faiths are welcome, the college's mission and values are rooted in Christian principles, which are reflected in the curriculum, campus life, and community service opportunities.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of CMC and Westmont?

CMC graduates are highly sought after in fields such as finance, consulting, government, and non-profit organizations, due to the college's strong reputation and emphasis on leadership skills. Westmont graduates find success in a variety of fields, including education, ministry, healthcare, and business, often drawn to careers that align with their values and desire to make a positive impact.
How do the admissions processes compare between CMC and Westmont?

Both CMC and Westmont are highly selective institutions, requiring strong academic records, compelling essays, and impressive extracurricular involvement. CMC places a greater emphasis on demonstrated leadership potential and a clear interest in public affairs or economics. Westmont seeks students who demonstrate a commitment to their faith, academic excellence, and service to others.
What types of financial aid and scholarships are available at each college?

Both CMC and Westmont offer a range of financial aid options, including need-based grants, merit-based scholarships, and student loans. CMC is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. Westmont also provides substantial financial aid packages to help make college affordable for qualified students. It's best to check each college's financial aid website for specific details and application requirements.
What are some popular majors at Claremont McKenna College?

Popular majors at Claremont McKenna College include Government, Economics, International Relations, Finance, and Psychology. The college is also known for its interdisciplinary programs, such as Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE).
What are some popular majors at Westmont College?

Popular majors at Westmont College include Biology, Business and Economics, Communication Studies, English, and Psychology. The college also offers strong programs in the arts and sciences.
How do the residential life experiences differ between CMC and Westmont?

At CMC, residential life is integrated with the academic and social experience, with students living in dorms that often host events and activities related to their academic interests. Westmont's residential life is centered around building a strong sense of community and fostering spiritual growth, with resident directors and programs designed to support students' personal and faith development.
What opportunities are available for studying abroad at CMC and Westmont?

Both CMC and Westmont offer a variety of study abroad programs. CMC encourages students to participate in study abroad to gain international experience and broaden their perspectives. Westmont also provides numerous opportunities for students to study abroad, often with a focus on service learning and cultural immersion.

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