Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and Claremont McKenna

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 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 is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Claremont McKenna has more expensive tuition & fees ($67,980) than Cal Poly ($33,230).
  • It is harder to admit to Claremont McKenna than Cal Poly.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 23,069 students while Claremont McKenna has 1,393 students.
  • Claremont McKenna has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 931 faculties while Claremont McKenna has 186 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$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
2025 Tuition & Fees$67,980
52%% Receiving Financial Aid51%
$12,264Average Amount of Financial Aid$52,973
31.32 %Acceptance Rates9.59 %
24.61 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)53.83 %
-SAT Score1,530
-ACT Score34
86 %Graduation Rate91 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate-
96 %Retention Rate98 %
23,069Student Population1,393
931Number of Faculties186
19 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