At $27,384/yr net price, Claremont McKenna College graduates earn $104,736/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $70,736/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,384 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $109,536 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $104,736/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$70,736/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 95.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,267/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,756/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,929/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,145/yr |
| $110,001+ | $49,293/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $100,075 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $87,754 | $12,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $41,025 |
The Risk Factor
95.2% of students at Claremont McKenna College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
The numbers at Claremont McKenna work strongly in your favor. Median earnings ten years out sit above six figures, while median debt stays low at $13,500. You graduate at a 95% clip and 96% of students return after freshman year, so the risk of paying for years without finishing is minimal here.
Your major choice drives everything. Economics is the earnings engine, and it pairs high pay with low debt. Political Science and Government, one of the school's signature draws, reports far lower early earnings than economics, so if government or policy is your target, expect a slower financial start and plan your debt accordingly. The Los Angeles-area job market rewards the finance, consulting, and business paths that economics feeds into, which is where the strong median payoff comes from.
The main financial risk is the sticker cost. At the top income tier, net price climbs to roughly $49,000 a year, close to full freight. If you land there and choose a lower-paying major, the math gets tight fast. The reason the overall debt figure stays low is that most families here are not borrowing heavily, and the earnings support repayment for the students who take on business-track careers.
If your family earns under $75,000, your net price sits under $15,000 a year, which makes this one of the better deals available for the earnings you can expect. Between $75,000 and $110,000, cost jumps to about $22,000, still reasonable against six-figure median outcomes. Above $110,000, you are paying premium prices and should weigh your intended major seriously before committing. This school fits you well if you want economics or a business-oriented path. if you are set on lower-paying public-sector work, run the debt numbers before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Claremont McKenna College worth the cost?
Claremont McKenna College offers strong ROI with graduates earning $104,736 after 10 years and relatively low debt at $13,500 median. The finance program pays particularly well at $100,075, making the $27,384 annual net price reasonable for most students.
What majors at Claremont McKenna College have the best job prospects?
Finance graduates from Claremont McKenna earn $100,075 while economics majors make $87,754 after graduation. Political science majors earn significantly less at $41,025, so career goals should heavily influence your major choice.
How much debt do Claremont McKenna College graduates typically have?
Claremont McKenna graduates have a median debt of just $13,500, which is manageable given the school's strong earning outcomes. The low debt load makes this school less risky than many private colleges.
Does Claremont McKenna College provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $27,384 compared to the full sticker price, Claremont McKenna offers substantial financial aid. The aid brings costs down to a level where the strong post-graduation earnings make financial sense for most students.