Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and Claremont McKenna College

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Claremont McKenna College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cal Poly is a four-year, public school located in San Luis Obispo, CA and Claremont McKenna College is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Claremont, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Cal Poly is a public and Claremont McKenna College is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Claremont McKenna College has more expensive tuition & fees ($64,150) than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • It is harder to admit to Claremont McKenna College than Cal Poly.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 22,000 students while Claremont McKenna College has 1,389 students.
  • Claremont McKenna College has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 881 faculties while Claremont McKenna College has 170 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.Claremont McKenna College
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationClaremont, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
2024 Tuition & Fees$64,150
50%% Receiving Financial Aid47%
$7,853Average Amount of Financial Aid$50,689
30.00 %Acceptance Rates11.00 %
28.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)50.00 %
-SAT Score1,510
-ACT Score34
85 %Graduation Rate91 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate-
94 %Retention Rate96 %
22,000Student Population1,389
881Number of Faculties170
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio8 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesROTC, Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services