Vassar College vs Claremont McKenna College
Vassar College and Claremont McKenna College, two esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Vassar, nestled in the Hudson Valley, boasts a higher acceptance rate (29%) compared to Claremont McKenna's selective 13%. Both colleges foster diverse student bodies, with Vassar's larger undergraduate population (2,400) reflecting a broader range of backgrounds. Claremont McKenna's focus on economics and public affairs attracts students seeking a rigorous education in these fields, while Vassar's strength in the humanities and social sciences draws students passionate about critical thinking and cultural exploration. With comparable graduation rates, both colleges ensure their students are well-prepared for successful careers or further academic pursuits. 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.
|
![]() Claremont McKenna College |
![]() Vassar College |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Claremont, California | Poughkeepsie, New York |
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 and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 95.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 11.2% | 20.1% |
Application fees | $70 |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
|
SAT range | 1420 - 1530 | 1420 - 1540 |
ACT range | 32 - 35 | 32 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 28.0% | 31.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 25.0% | 20.0% |
Total number of applicants | 5,632 | 10,884 |
Total number of admissions given out | 633 | 2,193 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 358 | 679 |
Yield rate | 56.6% | 31.0% |
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 | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price | $79,347 | $81,330 |
Average net price | $21,663 | $27,249 |
Tuition | $57,876 | $61,940 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,626
Meal plan:
$8,280
|
$15,710 |
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
65.0%
Average amount $33,141 |
57.0%
Average amount $49,162 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
17.0%
Average amount $3,535 |
46.0%
Average amount $3,729 |
Students taking out private loans |
22.0%
Average amount $7,870 |
4.0%
Average amount $14,435 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
1,416
Men 49.2% Women 50.8% |
2,516
Men 38.4% Women 61.6% |
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% | 8.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,354 | 2,448 |
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 |
|
|
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% | 92.5% |
Dropout rate | 7.3% | 5.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 2.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
|
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.






















































































































































































