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Last updated: May 24, 2026

Claremont McKenna College

United States · Claremont

Claremont McKenna College

Private School
United States
Country
Claremont
City
1389
Total Students
Private
Status
About the University

Claremont McKenna College overview

Claremont McKenna College is a prestigious, autonomous, mixed-gender, residential undergraduate college focused on liberal arts education, known for its rigorous admission process. The primary objective of the institution is to provide its students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful and meaningful careers, as well as to cultivate their ability to lead responsibly in various sectors such as business, government, and the professions.

Additionally, the institution aims to facilitate the research and academic pursuits of its staff and students, particularly in areas that enhance intellectual growth and promote a deeper understanding of public policy matters. The College fulfills its mission by offering a liberal arts education with a focus on economics and political science. The professors are committed to providing high-quality undergraduate teaching. The college fosters critical thinking through close student-teacher relationships.

It creates a vibrant residential and intellectual environment that encourages responsible citizenship. Additionally, the college supports faculty members in their research and scholarly endeavors, resulting in a faculty of teacher-scholars.

About the University

About Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College is a prestigious, autonomous, mixed-gender, residential undergraduate college focused on liberal arts education, known for its rigorous admission process. The primary objective of the institution is to provide its students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful and meaningful careers, as well as to cultivate their ability to lead responsibly in various sectors such as business, government, and the professions.

Additionally, the institution aims to facilitate the research and academic pursuits of its staff and students, particularly in areas that enhance intellectual growth and promote a deeper understanding of public policy matters. The College fulfills its mission by offering a liberal arts education with a focus on economics and political science.

The professors are committed to providing high-quality undergraduate teaching. The college fosters critical thinking through close student-teacher relationships.

It creates a vibrant residential and intellectual environment that encourages responsible citizenship. Additionally, the college supports faculty members in their research and scholarly endeavors, resulting in a faculty of teacher-scholars.

City
Claremont
Country
United States
Type
Private
Number of Students
1389
#11
National Ranking
85
Quality Score
90%
Placement Rate
10%
Acceptance Rate
$ 88,000
5-Year Income
Faculties & Programs

Claremont McKenna College faculties and programs

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Scholarship Opportunities

Claremont McKenna College scholarships and financial aid

Claremont McKenna College offers financial aid to international students in the form of need-based scholarships. The college has a need-blind admission policy for international students, which means that a student's financial status is not considered when making an admission decision. If an international student is admitted to Claremont McKenna College and demonstrates financial need, the college is committed to meeting 100% of their demonstrated need. To be considered for need-based financial aid, international students must submit the CSS Profile during the application process.

This information helps the college to assess the family's financial situation and calculate the amount of financial aid needed. Financial aid packages at Claremont McKenna College typically consist of grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid. They may also include a work-study component, which provides students with an opportunity to work part-time on campus.

Application Process

How to get into Claremont McKenna College

Prospective international students who wish to apply for undergraduate programs offered by Claremont McKenna College must meet the admission requirements outlined below.

  • Completion of 12 Years of Basic Education
  • 4-Year High School Diploma
  • High Grade Point Average
  • Official transcripts of the courses taken by the applicant in 11th and 12th grade
  • Standardized Test Scores (SAT or ACT)
  • Certificate in English Proficiency
    • Certificate in English proficiency received through internationally recognized proficiency tests such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo English Test.
  • Personal Statement & Essay

Please note that although academic qualifications obtained through programs such as GCE A-Level, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement are not sufficient for direct admission, students within the scope of these programs can request course credits in line with the courses they have taken.

Prospective international students who wish to apply for graduate programs offered by Claremont McKenna College must meet the admission requirements outlined below.

  • 4-Year Bachelor's Degree Diploma
  • High Grade Point Average
  • Official transcripts of the courses taken by the applicant during University/university education
  • Work experience may be required for certain programs
  • Certificate in English Proficiency
    • Certificate in English proficiency received through internationally recognized proficiency tests such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT.
  • GRE/GMAT exam score may be required in accordance with the specific admission requirements of certain programs.
Campus

Take a closer look at Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, a suburban city situated 30 miles to the east of downtown Los Angeles, is located at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains' foothills. Claremont, a college town with a population of only 35,000, is renowned as the City of Trees and PhDs. The focal point is the Village, a walkable downtown area characterized by sidewalk cafes and stores that entice visitors to explore the tree-lined streets. Street festivals, park concerts, movie nights, and a weekly farmers market all contribute to the city's distinctive and hospitable atmosphere.

Claremont is an ideal location due to its expansive 2,000-acre Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, extensive trail system, and dedicated bike lanes. Additionally, the presence of a Metrolink station in the village allows convenient access to other major attractions in Southern California.

Marian Miner Hall, with its distinctive red-tiled roof, bell tower, and spacious internal courtyards, serves as the prominent focal point of the campus. It accommodates administrative offices and classrooms. Kravis Center serves as a lively hub for student activities, including a wide range of events and performances and housing the esteemed Athenaeum honors program. The Pritzker Library is a modern haven for intellectual endeavors, providing access to research materials, areas for studying, and awe-inspiring vistas of the nearby mountains.

The Honnold Mudd Science Building is a cutting-edge facility that is furnished with laboratories, lecture halls, and communal areas specifically designed for students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Marianna Brown Johnson Residence Hall is a newly constructed building that is renowned for its environmentally conscious architecture and breathtaking vistas of the mountains.

Campus Life

The campus environment at Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is dynamic and diverse, providing students with a wide array of activities, amenities, and opportunities. Approximately 85% of students reside on campus, and they are assured of housing for the duration of their four-year academic program. The dormitories are categorized into three distinct areas: North Quad, Mid Quad, and South Quad, each with its own distinctive attributes.

The North Quad dormitories, the inaugural residential buildings on campus, include rooms with direct access to the outdoors and are arranged in suites that share a communal bathroom. The Mid Quad comprises extensive inner corridors, communal restroom amenities, and lounge spaces. The student flats, predominantly inhabited by upperclassmen, are located on the eastern periphery of the campus. CMC is renowned for its vibrant social atmosphere and permissive drinking regulations, which draw students from other consortium schools.

Since 2015, the college has actively endeavored to overhaul its social culture. For individuals in search of other options, the institution provides substance-free social activities, such as the yearly excursion to Disneyland, artistic events, and service programs organized by the institution's programming board.

The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum serves as the hub for intellectual and social engagements, organizing more than one hundred dinner and lecture events annually featuring a diverse array of speakers. The Athenaeum offers a daily afternoon tea service in its library, which includes pastries and chocolate-coated strawberries. CMC students, being part of the Claremont Campuses Consortium, have the privilege of utilizing common facilities and engaging in programs and events offered by all five campuses.

This encompasses privileges to utilize seven dining halls, libraries, a diverse array of distinguished speakers, employment and recruitment gatherings, and social events.

A significant number of students engage in study abroad programs or domestic internships in Washington, D.C., and Silicon Valley. These programs consist of full-time internships combined with evening seminars conducted by CMC professors. There is a vast selection of student organizations and clubs that appeal to a wide range of interests, including academic and professional clubs as well as cultural and recreational groups. The Claremont Colleges collectively use athletic facilities like gymnasiums, swimming pools, and sports fields, which are available to students.

Students who have the option to participate in physical education classes or join sports teams enthusiastically support intramural and intercollegiate athletics. CMC promotes community engagement and service by offering students several opportunities to participate in community service projects, internships, and social entrepreneurship initiatives. The university organizes a diverse range of cultural events, performances, and recreational activities throughout the year, offering students ample opportunities to participate in artistic, cultural, and leisurely pursuits.

Student Profile

Claremont McKenna College has produced many notable alumni in various fields. Some of the most well-known and accomplished alumni of Claremont McKenna College include:

  • Robin Williams
  • David Dreier
  • Ashwin Navin
  • Simon Salinas
  • Robert Addison Day
  • Gregg Jarrett
  • Francisco H. Vázquez
  • Tyler Olson
  • Michael Arrington
  • Peter Weinberg
  • Douglas L. Peterson
  • Adam Kokesh
  • Orley Ashenfelter
  • William W. Crouch
  • Tom Leppert
  • Rob Hurtt
  • Jake Zimmerman
  • Jack L. Stark
Living

Claremont McKenna College cost of living

Achievements

Claremont McKenna College awards and achievements

  • 1 Academy Award Winner
  • 2 Emmy Award Winners
  • 6 Golden Globe Award Winners
  • 2 Screen Actors Guild Award Winners
  • 5 Grammy Award Winners

Claremont McKenna College Frequently Asked Questions

Claremont McKenna College Location

Claremont, United States

Claremont McKenna College Contact

Email
admission@cmc.edu
Phone
+1 909-621-8000
Website
https://www.cmc.edu/
Address
500 E. 9th Street, Claremont, CA, 91711

Claremont McKenna College Social Media

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Claremont McKenna College

Take a Closer Look
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How to Get Into Claremont McKenna College

01

In your first meeting with a Dream Uni advisor, your academic background, goals, and expectations are analyzed in detail.

02

By assessing your English level and academic grades, your eligibility for the universities and colleges Dream Uni partners with is determined.

03

The application process is managed meticulously by our professional team, and your acceptance letter is delivered to you.

Why Claremont McKenna College?

Located in Claremont, United States, Claremont McKenna College is known for its academic excellence, distinguished faculty, and remarkably rich history.

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