Claremont Graduate University: Fees 2026, Scholarships, Admissions 2026, Rankings & Programs

Claremont Graduate University Overview

Claremont Graduate University is a private graduate-only research institution founded in 1925, based in Claremont, California, roughly 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It sits at #235 among 357 USA universities on the Collegedunia Study Abroad rank 2026 and inside the top 45 US business schools on the QS Business ranking 2026.

CGU awards only master’s, doctoral and certificate qualifications across eight academic schools, with 57 master’s programmes, 28 doctoral tracks and 14 certificates in data science, business, psychology, education, economics and applied mathematics. All programmes are taught in English, on a 19-acre campus shared with the wider Claremont Colleges consortium of 7,700+ students. Indian applicants are served through Fall, Spring and Summer intakes, with a documented 22% international share drawn from 51 countries. Also Check the MS universities in USA guide before shortlisting.

• Collegedunia Study Abroad Rank: #235 of 357 USA universities 2026
• Acceptance Rate: 55% (estimated)
• Intakes: Fall (August), Spring (January), Summer (June)
• PG Tuition: USD 2,070 per unit (INR 1.98 lakh per unit), standard programmes
• Average Starting Salary: USD 73,000 per year (INR 69.9 lakh per year)

Also Check: MS Universities in USA for Indian Students

CGU funds more than 85% of its student body with over USD 16 million in fellowships each year, and Indian applicants can layer Teaching or Research Assistantships onto merit awards. Post-study, F-1 graduates qualify for 12 months of OPT plus a 24-month STEM extension on eligible programmes, per USCIS OPT rules.

Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 95.7 as of September 2026

Admission Status: Open (Spring 2027 intake). The Spring 2027 priority deadline is 1 November 2026 and the final deadline is 15 November 2026. Fall 2027 applications are also open, with priority review on 1 February 2027 and the final deadline on 1 June 2027.

Table of Contents

1. Popular Courses and Fees at Claremont Graduate University 2027
2. Claremont Graduate University Admission 2027
3. Claremont Graduate University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
4. Claremont Graduate University Acceptance Rate 2027
5. CGU Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
6. Claremont Graduate University Campus, Facilities and Student Life
7. Claremont Graduate University Scholarships 2027
8. Claremont Graduate University Rankings 2027
9. Claremont Graduate University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
10. Claremont Graduate University vs Peer Universities
11. Claremont Graduate University FAQs

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Popular CGU Fees and Courses at Claremont Graduate University 2027

CGU charges tuition on a per-unit basis at USD 2,070 per unit for standard programmes for 2025-26, with programme totals driven by unit load. Most Master of Science tracks run 1 to 2 years, while the MBA and select MA tracks run 2 years. Total fees below are indicative annual totals reported by the university for full-time enrolment.

Program	Duration	Total Fee (USD)	Total Fee (INR lakh)	Entry Requirement
MBA	2 years	193,920	185.6 lakh	Bachelor’s with CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended)
MS Data Science and Analytics	1 year	72,720	69.6 lakh	Bachelor’s with CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended)
MS Information Systems and Technology	1 year	74,520	71.3 lakh	Bachelor’s with CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended)
MS Financial Engineering	2 years	161,600	154.7 lakh	Bachelor’s with CGPA 6.5/10 in quantitative field (recommended)
MA Economics	1 year	72,720	69.6 lakh	Bachelor’s with CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended)
MA Psychology (Positive Health)	2 years	193,920	185.6 lakh	Bachelor’s with CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended)
MA Education	2 years	129,280	123.7 lakh	Bachelor’s with CGPA 6.0/10 (recommended)
MS Computational and Applied Mathematics	2 years	129,280	123.7 lakh	Bachelor’s with CGPA 6.5/10 in Math (recommended)

CGU does not admit undergraduates. Indian students choose CGU for its graduate-only research culture and its strong STEM and social sciences programme mix.

Insider note: MS Data Science and Analytics and MS Information Systems and Technology are the two courses Indian applicants pick most, both eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after graduation.

Read More: CGU Fees and Programs Guide

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CGU Admission 2027 for Indian Students

Claremont Graduate University admission runs three intakes each year. Indian applicants primarily target the Fall (August) intake, with Spring the secondary option for select programmes.

Milestone	Date	Notes for Indian Applicants
Spring 2027 Priority Deadline	1 November 2026	Best chance for scholarship review
Spring 2027 Final Deadline	15 November 2026	Programme start January 2027
Fall 2027 Priority Deadline	1 February 2027	Recommended for full merit-aid consideration
Fall 2027 Final Deadline	1 June 2027	Programme start August 2027
WES Credential Evaluation	Start 8 to 10 weeks before deadline	Order early during Indian award season

Planning note: Applying by the priority round improves both admission and funding odds. Indian applicants targeting the Fall 2027 intake should book their IELTS or TOEFL slot by October 2026.

Read More: CGU Admissions Guide for Indian Students

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CGU Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027

Claremont Graduate University admission requirements centre on academic performance, English proficiency and a strong statement of purpose.

• Academic: Bachelor’s degree with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) in a related discipline; quantitative programmes expect stronger scores
• English tests: TOEFL iBT 5 (1-6 scale, effective January 2026) or 95 (0-120 legacy scale), IELTS 7.0 with no sub-score below 6.5, Pearson PTE 66, Duolingo English Test 125
• Credential verification: All Indian transcripts routed through WES or another NACES-member evaluator
• Financial and application: Signed Affidavit of Financial Support, bank or sponsor letter, USD 80 application fee, statement of purpose, resume, two letters of recommendation

The International Scholars Program offers a conditional pathway with lower English cut-offs at TOEFL 4 (1-6 scale) or 75 (legacy), IELTS 6.0, PTE 50, DET 105. GRE and GMAT are optional for most programmes.

Key insight: Applicants from Indian universities where English is the medium of instruction can request an English-test waiver by submitting an official medium-of-instruction letter with the transcript.

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Claremont Graduate University Acceptance Rate 2027

Claremont Graduate University does not publish a single official institution-wide acceptance rate. Third-party admissions databases place selectivity in the range of 50% to 60% (estimated), with tighter cut-offs for the MBA, Financial Engineering and Positive Psychology tracks.

Programme-level selectivity varies sharply. Data-heavy Master of Science tracks are noticeably more competitive than social sciences and humanities programmes.

Reality check: A mid-range acceptance rate does not mean an easy admit. Indian applicants still need a coherent research fit statement and a strong quantitative profile for the STEM masters programmes.

Read More: CGU Acceptance Rate Guide

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CGU Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027

Total annual cost for an Indian student sits between USD 78,000 and USD 110,000 (INR 74.6 lakh to INR 105.3 lakh), combining tuition on 24 to 32 units and 12 months of living costs in Claremont, California.

CGU Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027

Standard graduate programmes charge USD 2,070 per unit for 2025-26; typical master’s programmes require 32 to 48 units in total. Programme totals below include mandatory student, technology and international student fees per semester.

Programme Type	Total Fee (USD)	Total Fee (INR lakh)
MS (1 year, 24 units)	60,600 to 74,520	58.0 to 71.3 lakh
MBA and 2-year MS (48 units)	96,960 to 193,920	92.8 to 185.6 lakh
MA (36 units)	72,720 to 96,960	69.6 to 92.8 lakh
Doctoral study post coursework	2,575 per semester	2.5 lakh per semester

[Source: Claremont Graduate University official tuition and fees schedule 2025-26]

Monthly Cost of Living in Claremont for Indian Students

Expense	Monthly (USD)	Monthly (INR)
Accommodation (shared apartment)	1,100 to 1,700	1.05 lakh to 1.63 lakh
Food and groceries	400 to 550	38,280 to 52,635
Transportation	90 to 150	8,613 to 14,355
Books and supplies	80 to 120	7,656 to 11,484
Personal and utilities	200 to 300	19,140 to 28,710
Total Monthly	1,870 to 2,820	1.79 lakh to 2.70 lakh
Total Annual	22,440 to 33,840	21.5 lakh to 32.4 lakh

[Source: CGU housing office listings and Claremont city rental market data]

Insider note: Sharing a two-bedroom apartment at Claremont Collegiate Apartments cuts rent to about USD 900 per person (INR 86,130), the lowest realistic Claremont figure for Indian students.

Read More: Study in USA Guide for Indian Students

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Claremont Graduate University Campus, Facilities and Student Life

CGU sits on a 19-acre graduate-only campus in Claremont, a college town of 36,000, connected to central Los Angeles via the Metrolink train line in around 60 minutes.

• Location and transport: Metrolink San Bernardino Line links Claremont to Union Station in downtown LA in roughly one hour, with campus walkable from the depot
• Housing: University-run Claremont Collegiate Apartments and Oasis Residential Commons list studios and shared units from USD 799 to USD 1,700 per month (INR 76,459 to INR 1.63 lakh); housing is not guaranteed and Indian students typically confirm leases before landing
• Consortium access: Enrolment gives shared access to 4 libraries, 5 cafeterias, 3 gyms, a botanical garden and cross-registration across the seven Claremont Colleges
• Indian community: International students make up 22% of the graduate body from 51 nationalities, with a stable Indian cohort through the South Asia Students Association

What Indian students say: Faculty accessibility and the 8:1 student-faculty ratio are the most-cited positives, along with easy off-campus travel to Los Angeles and San Diego on weekends.

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CGU Scholarships 2027 for Indian Students

Claremont Graduate University disburses over USD 16 million in fellowships each year, reaching more than 85% of enrolled students including Indian applicants; awards are combined merit and need-based.

Scholarship	Type	Award Value	Eligibility	Deadline
CGU Merit Fellowship	Merit-based	Up to USD 25,000 per year (INR 23.9 lakh)	Automatic at admission, all international masters and PhD students	Priority application deadline
Teaching Assistantship	Service-based	Tuition remission + stipend, verify at official page	Enrolled PhD and select masters	Programme-specific
Research Assistantship	Service-based	Tuition remission + stipend, verify at official page	Faculty-nominated, research-track students	Programme-specific
Dissertation Awards	Merit-based	Verify at official page	Advanced doctoral students	Annual cycle
External Fellowship Support	Third-party	Varies by sponsor	Fulbright and other India-linked routes	Sponsor-driven

[Source: Claremont Graduate University Office of Financial Aid]

Planning note: Merit fellowships are decided together with the admission letter, so submitting by the priority round is the single lever Indian applicants control for higher awards.

Read More: CGU Scholarships Guide

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Claremont Graduate University Rankings 2027

CGU is a graduate research institution that appears in subject and specialty rankings rather than the main undergraduate world lists. Its strongest global marker is US News Best Global Universities, and it holds a top-100 US position for Education and English graduate schools.

Ranking Body	Latest Edition	Previous Edition	Two Editions Back
US News Best Global	2025-2026: #2007	2024-2025: verify at usnews.com	2023-2024: verify at usnews.com
QS Business Ranking	2026: #251	2025: verify at topuniversities.com	2024: verify at topuniversities.com
Collegedunia Study Abroad (USA)	2026: #235 of 357	NA	NA

[Source: US News, QS Top Universities, Collegedunia Study Abroad]

CGU also holds US News Best Graduate School positions of #53 for English, #85 for Education, #112 for Biological Sciences and #133 for Computer Science, per US News 2024. The university is not ranked in QS World or THE World lists because both exclude graduate-only research institutions.

Key insight: Indian F-1 applicants should note that CGU is regionally accredited by WSCUC, satisfying employer and Indian government recognition even without a QS World number.

Read More: CGU Rankings Analysis

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Claremont Graduate University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027

CGU reports steady graduate placement across data, finance, education and non-profit sectors, with career support delivered through the Center for Writing and Rhetoric and the Office of Career Development.

• Average starting salary: USD 73,000 per year (INR 69.9 lakh), across all master’s graduates, market-median
• Highest-paid track: Data Scientists at USD 90,000 per year (INR 86.1 lakh), market-median
• Recruiting sectors: Financial services, healthcare analytics, EdTech, non-profit research, K-12 school leadership
• Career services: Handshake portal, 1:1 coaching, alumni mentoring, on-campus Federal Work-Study
• Post-study work: 12-month OPT for all F-1 graduates, with 24-month STEM OPT extension for eligible MS Data Science, MS Information Systems, MS Financial Engineering and MS Computational Mathematics graduates

Insider note: Indian graduates historically cluster in Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area analytics roles, and CGU’s Drucker School alumni network is a strong lever for MBA-track candidates.

Claremont Graduate University vs Peer Universities

Indian applicants typically compare CGU against California private and mid-tier research universities offering similar STEM and business masters. The peer set below balances geography and programme mix.

University	US News Global Rank	Location	Avg Annual PG Fee (INR lakh)	Differentiator
Claremont Graduate University	#2007	Claremont, CA	58 to 93 lakh	Graduate-only research, small cohort
Pepperdine University	Verify at usnews.com	Malibu, CA	60 to 100 lakh (estimated)	Strong MBA and Psychology
Chapman University	Verify at usnews.com	Orange, CA	55 to 90 lakh (estimated)	Film, Business, Education
University of California, Riverside	#249	Riverside, CA	50 to 80 lakh (estimated)	Public research, larger scale

CGU stands out for its intentionally small 2,038-student graduate cohort and 8:1 faculty ratio, both rare in California private universities. It suits Indian students seeking research access and named faculty mentorship over a large-campus experience.

CGU is the right fit for an Indian applicant who wants faculty proximity in a graduate-only setting with STEM OPT eligibility on the flagship data and information systems masters. With a total investment of INR 58 to 93 lakh against a starting salary of INR 69.9 lakh, the ROI on 1-year STEM masters is workable within a 3-year post-graduation window.

CGU is not the right fit for applicants who need a large campus, undergraduate feel or a top-100 QS World brand for family recognition; those applicants should look instead at University of Southern California for a bigger LA private research option.

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Claremont Graduate University FAQs

Ques. Does Claremont Graduate University offer undergraduate programmes for Indian students?

Ans. No, Claremont Graduate University admits only master’s, doctoral and certificate candidates. Indian undergraduates should look at the wider Claremont Colleges consortium members like Pomona or Harvey Mudd for undergraduate degrees. CGU is a graduate research university with 2,038 students across 57 master’s, 28 doctoral and 14 certificate options within its eight academic schools.

Ques. Can Indian students work part-time while studying at CGU?

Ans. Yes, F-1 visa holders at CGU can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during term and 40 hours during official breaks. Popular roles include Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships and Federal Work-Study positions posted on Handshake. Off-campus work needs Curricular Practical Training authorisation and typically starts after the first academic year of study.

Ques. Is the GRE or GMAT required for CGU masters programmes?

Ans. The GRE and GMAT are optional for most CGU programmes as of 2026-27. Applicants to quantitatively demanding tracks like MS Financial Engineering or MS Computational and Applied Mathematics are still encouraged to submit competitive scores. Business school applicants can send a GMAT or GRE score to strengthen scholarship consideration, though the application will be reviewed without one.

Ques. How much is the CGU application fee and can it be waived?

Ans. The Claremont Graduate University application fee is USD 80 (INR 7,656) as of 2026-27. Fee waivers are available for select recruitment fair contacts, McNair Scholars and campus visit attendees. Indian applicants should ask their assigned admissions counsellor directly, as unofficial waivers are sometimes issued for priority-round international applicants during the Fall cycle.

Ques. Which Indian banks offer education loans recognising CGU?

Ans. SBI Global Ed-Vantage, HDFC Credila, Avanse and Auxilo all sanction education loans for CGU admits. As a regionally accredited US private university with a valid I-20, CGU meets standard lender criteria for loans up to INR 1.5 crore, typically covering tuition plus 12 months of Claremont living costs. Applicants should submit the admission letter and I-20 for loan pre-approval.

Ques. What English test waivers does CGU accept for Indian applicants?

Ans. CGU may waive TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and Duolingo requirements if the applicant completed a full bachelor’s degree from an Indian institution where English is the official medium of instruction. Applicants must submit an official medium-of-instruction letter on university letterhead. The waiver is discretionary and denied applicants can enter through the International Scholars Program pathway with lower cut-offs.

Ques. Can Indian students bring dependents on an F-2 visa to Claremont?

Ans. Yes, spouses and unmarried children under 21 can join F-1 students on F-2 dependent visas. CGU issues a separate I-20 for each dependent once the primary applicant submits proof of extra financial support, typically USD 8,000 to USD 10,000 per dependent per year in bank documentation. F-2 spouses cannot work in the US but can enrol in part-time academic courses.

Ques. How long does OPT last for CGU international graduates?

Ans. All F-1 graduates get 12 months of Optional Practical Training after finishing their degree at CGU. Graduates of STEM-designated masters like MS Data Science and Analytics, MS Information Systems and Technology, MS Financial Engineering and MS Computational Mathematics get an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving a full 36 months of US work authorisation post-completion, subject to E-Verify employer sponsorship.