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College comparison
Claremont McKenna vs Notre Dame
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA |  Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateClaremont McKenna College is more selective | 10% | 11% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1470–1560 | 1455–1560 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,388 | 8,818 |
| Avg net price | $28,849 | $26,780 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Claremont McKenna reports higher median earnings | $104,736 | $99,980 |
| Graduation rate | 91% | 95% |
| Median debt | $13,500 | $19,000 |
| Economic mobility | 3.0% | 0.9% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Claremont McKenna vs Notre Dame: how they compare
Two selective institutions with strong financial outcomes, separated by a cultural and geographic divide.
By the numbers Both schools are comparably selective (CMC 10% vs. Notre Dame 11% acceptance) and attract high-achieving students (CMC SAT 1470–1560 vs. Notre Dame 1455–1560). Notre Dame edges out CMC in graduation rate (95% vs. 91%) and offers a slightly better financial value (3.7× vs. 3.6× earnings per dollar of net price) at a marginally lower average net price ($27k vs. $29k). The most striking contrast is in economic mobility: CMC’s rate is exceptional at 296%, far exceeding Notre Dame’s 90%. CMC also demonstrates greater stability in admissions (32% admit-rate volatility vs. Notre Dame’s 59%) and has a strong DOE financial health score of 2.5/3.
Where they overlap They share a suburban campus setting and a focus on cultivating future leaders with excellent post-graduate earnings (CMC $105k vs. Notre Dame $100k 10-year median). Both are highly residential communities where on-campus living is a central part of the experience.
How they differ The core difference is cultural and geographic. Claremont McKenna is a secular campus in Southern California, emphasizing leadership and personal growth within a consortium of five undergraduate colleges. The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic institution in the Midwest, with a faith-based community and a prominent athletic culture.
Who each suits Claremont McKenna suits the driven student who thrives in a collaborative liberal arts environment, values high economic mobility, and prefers a secular, California setting. Notre Dame is ideal for a student seeking a tight-knit, tradition-rich community with robust school spirit, who may appreciate the integration of faith into campus life and values the extensive alumni network of a national university.
Editorial overview — a qualitative summary of culture and fit, reviewed for accuracy. Not a ranking or a guarantee.
Quick answers
- Is Claremont McKenna College or University of Notre Dame harder to get into?
- Claremont McKenna College is more selective: Claremont McKenna College's acceptance rate is approximately 10% and University of Notre Dame's is approximately 11% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Claremont McKenna College vs University of Notre Dame?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1470–1560 at Claremont McKenna College and 1455–1560 at University of Notre Dame. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.