Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, CA · founded 1946 · 1,300 students · liberal arts college · SCIAC

Known for: Distinguished for its focus on economics, government, and international relations, with a strong emphasis on leadership and practical application of knowledge. It is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, allowing cross-registration.

Rankings

U.S. News liberal arts: #12
Forbes: #25

Top programmes

Economics
Government
International Relations
Psychology
Philosophy
Public Policy

Notable alumni

Henry Kravis — Co-founder of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR)
Robert Day — Financier and philanthropist
Janet Napolitano — Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
Michael Milken — Financier and philanthropist
Rick Caruso — Real estate developer and entrepreneur
David Dreier — Former U.S. Congressman
Susan Estrich — Legal scholar and political commentator
Tom Campbell — Former U.S. Congressman and dean of Haas School of Business

Traditions

Monte Carlo Night
Athena Dinner
Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum speaker series
Claremont Colleges events

If Claremont McKenna College were…

As a food: California sushi roll with gold leaf — Traditional Japanese technique meets Beverly Hills extravagance - meticulously crafted, premium ingredients, and designed for upward mobility.
As an athlete: Tom Brady — The ultimate competitor who turned elite preparation and strategic thinking into legendary career success and business empire building.
As a person alive today: Sheryl Sandberg — The Harvard-educated COO who embodies leaning in - strategic, corporate, and always networking while maintaining polished professionalism.
As a historical figure: Niccolò Machiavelli — The original political strategist who understood power dynamics, leadership pragmatism, and the art of institutional influence.
As a movie or TV show: The Social Network — Ambitious intellectuals navigating the intersection of academia, business, and power while building empires in competitive environments.
As a US president: Barack Obama — The polished orator and policy wonk who mastered the art of elite institution navigation while maintaining broad appeal.
As a city: Singapore — Meticulously planned meritocracy where efficiency, global connectivity, and economic ambition create stunning results from limited geography.
As an element: Platinum — The premium catalyst that facilitates high-value reactions while maintaining its own substantial worth and corrosion resistance.
As a car: BMW M3 Competition — Aggressive networking machine for SoCal strivers—CMC's finance bros and future consultants need something that screams 'I'm going places' before their first Goldman internship. Leadership-focused performance with a price

Campus life

CMC has a dynamic, pre-professional atmosphere with a focus on leadership, networking, and career preparation. Social life is active, with many events across the Claremont Colleges, including parties, speakers, and club activities.