Keck Graduate Institute

Key Highlights

• Independently accredited by WSCUC, with the most recent commission action in June 2026
• Founded in 1997 as the seventh and newest member of The Claremont Colleges
• Specialized in graduate education across biotechnology, healthcare, and applied life sciences
• A 2026 WSCUC review reported 572 students and 15 degree programs in spring 2026

Student Life & Environment

Student life at KGI is shaped by a small, graduate-oriented community in which many organizations have professional, cultural, service, or healthcare interests. KGI reports more than 50 clubs and organizations. Because students are pursuing programs with different schedules, formats, and clinical or research obligations, participation opportunities may differ between campus-based and online cohorts. Membership in The Claremont Colleges expands the support network beyond KGI’s own facilities. The 2026 WSCUC review identifies shared access to a writing center, library, bookstore, campus safety, disability resources, mental-health and wellness support, cultural-affairs offices, a queer resource center, religious and spiritual life, and Title IX services. Prospective students should still verify eligibility and operating arrangements for any consortium resource they consider essential. KGI has an on-campus housing complex, Oasis KGI Commons, managed by an external housing operator. The complex includes student lounges, a fitness center, swimming pool, outdoor plaza, barbecue area, and classroom space. Housing is available through a separate application process, and published rates should be checked directly with the property because accommodation charges are not included in the university database record. Students also have access to a KGI student center and shared library and bookstore resources in Claremont.

Location & Surroundings

KGI is located at 535 Watson Drive in Claremont, California. A 2026 WSCUC review places the institution approximately 40 miles east of Los Angeles. The setting offers access to the wider Southern California biotechnology, healthcare, and employment market, but travel times can depend heavily on traffic and the location of internships, clinical placements, or other off-campus commitments. The institution is part of The Claremont Colleges, a consortium that also includes Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Scripps, Pitzer, and Claremont Graduate University. KGI students therefore study within a larger academic community even though KGI maintains its own specialized facilities and independent accreditation. On-campus housing is available at Oasis KGI Commons, while KGI’s financial-aid budgets also contemplate students renting elsewhere or living with family. Parking permits are required on campus. Applicants should compare housing location, transportation needs, and any program-specific clinical or experiential sites before committing, particularly because the published cost-of-attendance budget does not treat relocation and rotation expenses as standard allowable additions.

Costs & Career Outcomes

KGI publishes separate 2026–2027 budgets for each program, so there is no single institution-wide tuition figure. Examples of annual tuition include $31,800 for the Master of Science in Population Health Sciences, $44,900 for the Master of Science in Applied Life Sciences, $51,000 for the PharmD, and $56,499 for the Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies. Program length and the number of annual terms differ, making total degree cost more useful than comparing annual tuition alone. Beginning in fall 2026, KGI also lists a $125 technology and infrastructure fee and a $275 campus engagement fee for applicable students. Published cost-of-attendance budgets add estimates for housing and utilities, food and personal expenses, books or supplies, transportation, and loan fees. These amounts vary by enrollment period and program. Applicants should use the exact budget for their program and year, then add any expenses excluded from standard budgets, including relocation or rotation costs. KGI offers institutional scholarships and need-based assistance for eligible programs. International students are not eligible for U.S. federal student loans, although KGI identifies scholarships and an international-loan resource. Career Services provides access to Handshake, employer job and internship postings, résumé support through employer recruiting activities, and on-campus interviewing. Its employer-facing services include candidate screening for internships and full-time positions and coordination with faculty, alumni, and industry networks. KGI does not provide a single current salary or placement figure applicable across all programs, so candidates should examine program-level outcomes, professional licensure data, and the geographic requirements of clinical training before assessing return on investment.