Harvey Mudd College vs MIT: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for Harvey Mudd College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Harvey Mudd College vs MIT at a glance
Harvey Mudd College admits 12.7% of applicants and MIT 4.6% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $39,347 at Harvey Mudd College and $14,815 at MIT. Six-year graduation rates are 93.3% and 95.7%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- Harvey Mudd College admits 12.7% of applicants and MIT 4.6%, so MIT is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $39,347 a year at Harvey Mudd College and $14,815 at MIT; MIT costs $24,532 less a year.
- 93.3% of students graduate within six years at Harvey Mudd College, against 95.7% at MIT.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $164,248 for Harvey Mudd College and $152,553 for MIT; Harvey Mudd College is $11,695 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $25,000 at Harvey Mudd College and $14,000 at MIT.
- Harvey Mudd College enrolls 921 students (large suburb) and MIT 4,535 (midsize city).
Side by side
Harvey Mudd College and MIT in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | Harvey Mudd College | MIT |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 12.7% | 4.6% |
| Applicants | 4,737 | 33,240 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | 1500–1570 | 1520–1580 |
| ACT middle 50% | 34–36 | 34–36 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $39,347 | $14,815 |
| Tuition, in state | $73,100 | $64,730 |
| Tuition, out of state | $73,100 | $64,730 |
| Cost of attendance | $93,131 | $85,960 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $41,333 | Not reported |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,487 | Not reported |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $21,515 | $4,283 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,864 | $8,020 |
| Over $110,000 | $58,366 | $50,747 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 93.3% | 95.7% |
| First-year retention | 96.4% | 99.1% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $164,248 | $152,553 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $25,000 | $14,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $284 | $159 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 921 | 4,535 |
| Type | Private nonprofit | Private nonprofit |
| Setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
| Location | Claremont, CA | Cambridge, MA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
Harvey Mudd College reports 30 bachelor's programs and MIT 39; 17 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about Harvey Mudd College vs MIT
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into Harvey Mudd College or MIT?
MIT is harder to get into by acceptance rate: Harvey Mudd College admits 12.7% of applicants and MIT admits 4.6%. Middle 50% SAT scores: Harvey Mudd College 1500–1570; MIT 1520–1580.
Which is cheaper, Harvey Mudd College or MIT?
MIT has the lower average net price after grants: $39,347 a year at Harvey Mudd College against $14,815 at MIT. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do Harvey Mudd College or MIT graduates earn more?
Harvey Mudd College graduates earn more at the median: $164,248 ten years after entry for Harvey Mudd College and $152,553 for MIT. Median federal debt at graduation is $25,000 and $14,000.
Which has a higher graduation rate, Harvey Mudd College or MIT?
MIT does: 93.3% of Harvey Mudd College students graduate within six years, against 95.7% at MIT.
How big are Harvey Mudd College and MIT?
Harvey Mudd College has 921 students in Claremont, CA and MIT has 4,535 students in Cambridge, MA.