Haverford College vs Claremont McKenna College

Haverford College and Claremont McKenna College, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Haverford, nestled in the suburbs of Philadelphia, boasts a lower acceptance rate (13%) and a smaller student body (1,300 undergraduates) compared to Claremont McKenna's 1,350 undergraduates and 15% acceptance rate. While Haverford's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 12% of the population, Claremont McKenna's student body is more racially diverse, with 48% identifying as students of color. Both colleges excel in academics, with Haverford's popular majors including natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, while Claremont McKenna's strengths lie in economics, political science, and public policy. With graduation rates hovering around 90% for both institutions, students can expect a supportive and rigorous academic environment at either college. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional institutions and

	Claremont McKenna College	Haverford College
Overview
Location	Claremont, California	Haverford, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
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%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	11.2%	17.8%
Application fees	$70	$65
SAT range	1420 - 1530	1420 - 1540
ACT range	32 - 35	33 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	28.0%	38.0%
Students submitting ACT score	25.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	5,632	5,332
Total number of admissions given out	633	951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	358	411
Yield rate	56.6%	43.2%
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)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$79,347	$81,570
Average net price	$21,663	$24,462
Tuition	$57,876	$60,442
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,626 Meal plan: $8,280	Room/dormitory: $10,320 Meal plan: $6,980
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	65.0% Average amount $33,141	45.0% Average amount $53,518
Students receiving federal student loan	17.0% Average amount $3,535	15.0% Average amount $4,885
Students taking out private loans	22.0% Average amount $7,870	3.0% Average amount $26,584

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,416 Men 49.2% Women 50.8%	1,420 Men 46.3% Women 53.7%
Graduate students	6 Men 66.7% Women 33.3%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	52.1%	N/A
International students	15.5%	10.6%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	1,354	1,424
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	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Psychology Computer and Information Science	Social Sciences Physical Science Computer and Information Science Foreign Languages and Literatures Mathematics and Statistics
Students to faculty ratio	8:1	8:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	92.7%	90.1%
Dropout rate	7.3%	2.9%
Transferred out	N/A	6.4%
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	Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,410 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,952 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,876 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,162 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in academic focus between Haverford and Claremont McKenna?

Haverford College emphasizes a broad liberal arts education with a strong focus on interdisciplinary learning and student autonomy. It's known for its Honor Code and close-knit community. Claremont McKenna College (CMC), while also a liberal arts college, has a distinct focus on leadership, economics, government, and public affairs. CMC's curriculum is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in various sectors.
How do the campus environments and locations compare?

Haverford is located in a suburban setting in Haverford, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. It offers a more secluded and traditional college campus experience. Claremont McKenna is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium in Claremont, California, providing access to a larger academic and social environment with a more vibrant, Southern California feel. Students at CMC benefit from the resources and social opportunities of the five undergraduate colleges.
What is the student body size and composition at each college?

Haverford has a smaller student body, typically around 1,300 students, fostering a close-knit community. Claremont McKenna is also relatively small, with approximately 1,350 students. Both colleges attract academically strong and diverse student populations, but CMC tends to have a slightly higher percentage of students interested in economics, government, and international relations.
How do the Honor Codes at Haverford and Claremont McKenna differ?

Haverford College is renowned for its deeply ingrained Honor Code, which governs all aspects of academic and social life, emphasizing trust, integrity, and student self-governance. Claremont McKenna also has an Honor Code, but it is less central to the college's identity compared to Haverford's. While both promote ethical behavior, Haverford's Honor Code is a defining characteristic of the college's culture.
What are the strengths of each college in terms of specific academic programs?

Haverford is particularly strong in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, with a focus on rigorous academic inquiry and independent research. Claremont McKenna excels in economics, government, international relations, and leadership studies, offering specialized programs and research opportunities in these areas. CMC's programs often incorporate real-world applications and policy analysis.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both Haverford and Claremont McKenna offer comprehensive career services to assist students with internships and job placement. Claremont McKenna's location in Southern California and its focus on leadership and public affairs provide strong connections to internships in government, finance, and consulting. Haverford's proximity to Philadelphia and its strong alumni network offer opportunities in various fields, including non-profits, research, and the arts.
What is the social scene like at Haverford versus Claremont McKenna?

Haverford's social scene is centered around campus activities, student-run organizations, and the close-knit community fostered by the Honor Code. Claremont McKenna benefits from being part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, offering students access to a wider range of social events, clubs, and activities across the five campuses. CMC's social scene is often described as more active and diverse due to the larger student population and Southern California location.
How does the consortium at Claremont McKenna affect the student experience?

Being part of the Claremont Colleges consortium significantly enhances the student experience at Claremont McKenna. Students can take courses at any of the five undergraduate colleges (Pomona, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, and CMC), access shared resources like libraries and dining halls, and participate in social activities across all campuses. This provides a broader academic and social environment than a standalone college.
What are the key similarities between Haverford and Claremont McKenna?

Both Haverford and Claremont McKenna are highly selective liberal arts colleges with a commitment to academic excellence, small class sizes, and close interaction between students and faculty. They both emphasize critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and preparing students for leadership roles in their chosen fields. Both colleges also have a strong focus on undergraduate education and offer a supportive and engaging learning environment.
Which college is better for students interested in pre-med?

Both Haverford and Claremont McKenna offer excellent pre-med programs. Haverford has a strong reputation in the natural sciences and provides ample research opportunities. Claremont McKenna, while not as traditionally known for the sciences, offers a solid foundation and allows students to take science courses at Harvey Mudd College, another Claremont College known for its STEM programs. The 'better' choice depends on individual preferences for campus culture and specific research interests.

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