Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Harvey Mudd College at a Glance
Harvey Mudd College (HMC) is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California, focused on science and engineering. It is part of the Claremont Colleges, which share adjoining campus grounds and resources. The college enrolled 913 undergraduate students as of 2025 and awards the Bachelor of Science degree.
1955
71 years old
$455M
$455 million
905
130
8:1 student:faculty
38 acres
Identity
Is Harvey Mudd College Worth It?
Harvey Mudd College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $35,924/year net price and $138,687 median earnings, graduates earn 3.9× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 93% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 13% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Median student debt of $25,000 is manageable at just 18% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Harvey Mudd College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Harvey Mudd College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 4 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California Institute of Technology | 100 | $16,075 | $128,566 |
| #2 | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering | 100 | $25,171 | $129,455 |
| #3 | Harvey Mudd College | 90 | $35,924 | $138,687 |
| #4 | Claremont McKenna College | 85 | $28,849 | $104,736 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Harvey Mudd College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in CA.
Best Programs at Harvey Mudd College
The highest-earning program at Harvey Mudd College is Computer Science at $124,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Engineering, General at $77,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Harvey Mudd College earns $124,500, while a Engineering, General graduate earns $77,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $24,089 in median debt vs. $22,034 for Engineering, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $35,924/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $124,500 | $124,500 | $24,089 |
| Engineering, General | $77,500 | $77,500 | $22,034 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Claremont, CA
- Student Body
- 921 students
- Admission Rate
- 13%
- Graduation Rate
- 93%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $35,924
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $138,687
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000