Getting in
For Fall 2025, 6,939 first-year students applied to CMC, 655 were admitted and 335 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 9.4%.
Source: CMC Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 2,599 | 267 | 10.3% |
| Out-of-state | 1,996 | 273 | 13.7% |
| International | 2,344 | 115 | 4.9% |
Source: CMC Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. CMC's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the college, with no rate by major.
Source: CMC Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision. The Common Data Set reports Early Decision I and II together for fall 2025. CMC has no early action plan.
Early decision, Fall 2025
| Plan | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I and II | 978 | 216 | 22.1% |
Source: CMC Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
22 majors across 1 school. Every major in CMC's official 2026-2027 Catalog, Majors and Sequences page. The catalog names no degree beside each major, so none is shown here. Sequences (CMC's minors), the 3+2 dual degree program, off-campus majors at the other Claremont Colleges and graduate programs are left out.
Majors22
- American Studies
- Asian Studies
- Classical Studies
- Data Science
- Economics
- Economics-Accounting
- Film StudiesDual major only
- French and Francophone Studies
- Government
- History
- Integrated Sciences
- International Relations
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Middle East Studies
- Philosophy
- Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPA)
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Religious Studies
- Spanish
Source: CMC Catalog 2026-2027, Majors and Sequences (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 1 | By December 15 | Yes |
| Early Decision II | January 10 | By February 15 | Yes |
| Regular Decision | January 10 | By April 1 | No |
Admitted students reply in early January (Early Decision I), late February (Early Decision II) or by May 1 (Regular Decision). For priority merit scholarship consideration, apply by December 1 with all supporting documents in by January 10.
Source: CMC Admission, First-Year Application Instructions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision is binding: if you are admitted, you are expected to enroll at CMC, withdraw all your other applications and not start new ones. You, a parent and your college counselor sign the Early Decision Agreement. If CMC is not clearly your first choice, CMC asks you to apply Regular Decision.
Source: CMC Admission, First-Year Application Instructions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
CMC's test-optional policy runs through the Fall 2027 entry term. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT scores; if you do not, you are not disadvantaged in admission or merit scholarship review. If you send scores, CMC superscores within the SAT or the ACT, and you may report scores yourself on the application.
Source: CMC Admission, First-Year Application Instructions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for admission, but considered if submitted, with scores due by February 1.
Source: CMC Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
- Testing. CMC returns to requiring the SAT or ACT for the Fall 2028 admission cycle (the high school class of 2028).
Source: CMC Admission, Test-Optional Admission Policy FAQ (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
We found nothing else announced for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: CMC Admission, First-Year Application Instructions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at CMC, 2026-2027:
| Tuition | $75,300 |
|---|---|
| Student activity fee (ASCMC) | $420 |
| Housing (single or double) | $12,490 |
| Food (19 meals a week) | $10,780 |
| Books, transportation and miscellaneous (estimated) | $3,000 |
| Total | $101,990 |
First-year students also pay a one-time $500 orientation fee. Students without their own health insurance are enrolled in the Claremont Colleges plan, $3,312 for the year.
Source: CMC Financial Aid, College Costs and Payments (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $15,308 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $7,360 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $16,389 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $19,325 |
| Over $110,000 | $52,295 |
| All incomes | $28,849 |
What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from CMC's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to Claremont McKenna College on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Harvey Mudd CollegeClaremont, CA · Private12.3% admitted$35,924 average net price
Pomona CollegeClaremont, CA · Private7.1% admitted$19,285 average net price
University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN · Private9.4% admitted$26,780 average net price
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA · Private11.2% admitted$32,740 average net price
University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · Public9.4% admitted$12,548 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.