What is Claremont McKenna College's acceptance rate?

Claremont McKenna College's acceptance rate is 9%, which makes it highly selective — a reach for nearly every applicant.

What SAT or ACT score do you need for Claremont McKenna College?

Admitted students typically score about 1430–1530 on the SAT (middle 50%) and about 32–35 on the ACT. Scores at or above this range strengthen your application, but they are one factor among many.

Is Claremont McKenna College test-optional?

Claremont McKenna College's current testing policy is: Test-optional. Always confirm on the school's admissions site, as policies change by cycle.

Claremont McKenna College Acceptance Rate & How to Get In (9%)

Acceptance rate

1430–1530

SAT (mid 50%)

32–35

ACT (mid 50%)

Test-optional

Testing

How hard is it to get into Claremont McKenna College?

With a 9% acceptance rate, Claremont McKenna College is highly selective — a reach for nearly every applicant. It enrolls roughly 1,400 undergraduates (suburban setting) in Claremont, CA. At this level, strong grades and scores are the baseline, not the differentiator — your essays and what makes you distinctive carry real weight.

What it takes to get in

SAT: admitted students land around 1430–1530 (middle 50%). Aim for the upper end to be competitive.
ACT: the middle 50% is about 32–35.
GPA: admitted students average around 3.9. Rigor (APs/IB/honors) matters as much as the number.
Testing policy: Test-optional. Confirm on the school's site, since policies shift each cycle.
Essays: at Claremont McKenna College's selectivity, the application essays are often what separates similar applicants. Make them specific and authentically yours.

Cost

Published tuition is about $63,500 per year before aid. Many students pay less after financial aid — check the school's net price calculator.

Notable programs

Government · Economics · PPE · Claremont Consortium

See Claremont McKenna College’s supplemental essay guide

Score your Claremont McKenna College essays, free

Great numbers get you in the room; the essays get you in. Paste your draft into Halo for instant, rubric-based feedback. Halo never writes your essay for you.

Try Halo free

Claremont McKenna College admissions FAQ

What is Claremont McKenna College's acceptance rate?: Claremont McKenna College's acceptance rate is 9%, which makes it highly selective — a reach for nearly every applicant.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for Claremont McKenna College?: Admitted students typically score about 1430–1530 on the SAT (middle 50%) and about 32–35 on the ACT. Scores at or above this range strengthen your application, but they are one factor among many.
Is Claremont McKenna College test-optional?: Claremont McKenna College's current testing policy is: Test-optional. Always confirm on the school's admissions site, as policies change by cycle.

Sources & official links

Claremont McKenna College official website
Claremont McKenna College on College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education)
Admissions figures compiled from the Common Data Set and IPEDS.

Figures are the most recent available from Common Data Set, IPEDS, and public reports, and are approximate. Always confirm details on Claremont McKenna College’s official admissions site.