Claremont, CA · Private University
Is Claremont McKenna College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$104,736
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,150
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,150
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$256,600
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.63x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
95.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$13,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$27,384
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Claremont McKenna College graduates earn $59,736 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Claremont McKenna College ranked by graduate earnings
47 graduates
18 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Claremont McKenna College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Claremont McKenna College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $115,832) and the lowest (Political Science and Government: $42,552) is $73,280/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $115,832 | 1.8x |
| Political Science and Government(1yr data) | $42,552 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | 1.63x | $104,736 | Good ROI |
| Pomona College | 1.25x | $77,779 | Average ROI |
| Harvey Mudd College | 2.09x | $138,687 | Strong ROI |
| Stanford University | 1.99x | $124,080 | Good ROI |
| Scripps College | 1.22x | $77,539 | Average ROI |
| University of Southern California | 1.36x | $92,498 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Claremont McKenna College offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $104,736 10 years after starting — $59,736 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.7 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.