Overview of the Claremont Colleges
The Claremont Colleges is a unique consortium of seven highly selective, private, nonprofit institutions founded collectively from 1887 onwards, located in Claremont, California, United States. Each college retains its own distinctive mission but shares contiguous campuses and central resources, resembling a collegiate university system. The consortium includes five undergraduate colleges and two graduate institutions, altogether enrolling approximately 8,500 students and staffed by over 3,600 faculty and staff members. Their close alliance enables both intimate, academic environments and the benefits of a larger community, establishing a compelling educational context for distinguished scholars and students worldwide.
Academic Strengths and Structure
The Claremont Colleges are renowned for their excellence across diverse disciplines: liberal arts, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, public policy, and graduate programs in education and management. Harvey Mudd College is particularly esteemed for engineering, science, and mathematics, while Pomona and Claremont McKenna are recognized for strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and economics. The academic model encourages interdisciplinary exploration, facilitated by cross-registration across the consortium's institutions—offering over 2,700 courses. The collaborative environment fosters robust research output, with national rankings regularly placing multiple colleges among the top liberal arts institutions in the United States. Joint research centers and partnerships, such as the Keck Science Department and Claremont Graduate University's research programs, further enhance academic innovation and scholarly impact.
Student Life and Community
Student life within the Claremont Colleges is vibrant and interconnected, supported by over 250 student clubs and organizations, intercollegiate and intramural athletics, thriving performing and visual arts scenes, and an abundance of cultural events. The colleges emphasize diversity and inclusivity, with a student body representing all 50 U.S. states and more than 60 countries worldwide. On-campus housing is highly integrated, fostering cross-institutional friendships and collaborative opportunities. Comprehensive support services—including mentorship, counseling, and academic advising—shape a supportive environment. The consortium’s shared resources also ensure access to extensive libraries, recreational facilities, and state-of-the-art laboratories.
Mission, Vision, and Values
The Claremont Colleges collectively champion academic excellence, ethical leadership, and global citizenship. Their mission is to prepare graduates for lives of contribution, fostering innovation, inclusion, and a strong commitment to sustainability within a collaborative and intellectually rigorous environment.
