Harvey Mudd College ranks among the top institutions nationally for earnings beyond expectations, generating $59,622 above predicted outcomes. The college's focused STEM curriculum and highly selective admission combine to deliver exceptional long-term financial returns despite premium educational costs.
Among the highest we track, driven by exceptional long-term earnings relative to educational investment
As modestly below average, reflecting the premium costs associated with intensive STEM education
As modestly below average, indicating lower enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students compared to national averages
With above average outcomes, reflecting the college's ability to generate strong earnings despite limited socioeconomic diversity
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisHarvey Mudd College delivers exceptional earnings outcomes through intensive STEM education. Graduates earn a median of $138,687 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 99.9th percentile nationally among the highest we track.
Earnings range from $79,299 at the 25th percentile to $208,094 at the 75th percentile, reflecting strong outcomes across different career trajectories within STEM fields. The institution generates $59,622 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 99.7th percentile nationally on this measure among the highest we track.
Students seeking exceptional STEM education with top-tier post-graduation outcomes, particularly in Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematical Sciences. Best suited for academically exceptional students comfortable with highly selective admission and premium costs in exchange for among the strongest earnings potential nationally.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Harvey Mudd College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/harvey-mudd-college/analysis.
Among the highest earnings nationally
Harvey Mudd College ranks #144 nationally with excellent performance at the 91.2nd percentile. Located in Claremont, California, this small private nonprofit institution maintains highly selective admission standards with a 13.1% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
The college enrolls 14.1% Pell-eligible students and maintains a 3.0% transfer share, reflecting limited socioeconomic diversity but strong academic preparation. Graduates earn $59,622 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 99.7th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $138,687 ten years after enrollment, placing Harvey Mudd College at the 99.9th percentile for long-term earnings. This combination of highly selective admission, premium costs, and exceptional outcomes positions the institution as a specialized STEM powerhouse focused on delivering maximum return on educational investment for academically elite students.
Harvey Mudd College admits approximately 13.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 8 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Harvey Mudd among highly selective institutions nationally, though not at the most restrictive level of elite universities.
The peer median admission rate of 75.6% highlights the substantial difference between Harvey Mudd's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among specialized STEM colleges, Harvey Mudd's acceptance rate reflects significant competition for admission.
This level of selectivity means that academically strong students face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process, particularly given the specialized nature of Harvey Mudd's applicant pool. Students considering Harvey Mudd should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable STEM outcomes.
The college's specialized mission attracts a self-selected pool of academically exceptional students interested in intensive interdisciplinary STEM education. For prospective students, this indicates the importance of demonstrating both strong academic preparation and genuine interest in Harvey Mudd's distinctive educational approach.
Treating Harvey Mudd as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy given the competitive applicant pool.
Computer Science.
47 graduates
Mathematics and Computer Science.
52 graduates
Applied Engineering.
68 graduates
Harvey Mudd College offers three bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, all achieving top national rankings. Mathematics and Computer Science ranks #1 nationally, producing 52 graduates with median earnings of $122,038 and a perfect value score of 100.0.
Computer Science ranks #14 nationally and #4 in California, graduating 47 students with median earnings of $183,524 and a value score of 92.9. Applied Engineering ranks #3 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 68 students with median earnings of $103,969 and a value score of 84.6.
All three programs carry flagship status at the institution, reflecting Harvey Mudd's focused mission in STEM education. The Mathematics and Computer Science program represents the college's interdisciplinary approach to technical education, while Computer Science delivers the highest absolute earnings.
Applied Engineering enrolls the largest cohort, providing broad exposure to engineering fundamentals with strong career outcomes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Harvey Mudd College's published cost of attendance reaches $84,896 per year, including $66,255 in tuition, $21,710 for room and board, and $800 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $32,492 after financial aid, representing savings of $52,404 through institutional and federal aid programs.
This net price exceeds the peer median of $21,812 by $10,680, reflecting Harvey Mudd's position as a premium private institution with specialized STEM focus. The substantial gap between sticker price and average net price indicates meaningful financial aid distribution, though costs remain elevated compared to typical four-year institutions.
Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $17,340 for families earning under $30,000 to $52,642 for those earning over $110,000. This progressive pricing structure provides the most substantial aid to lower-income families while maintaining higher costs for affluent families.
Students should understand that Harvey Mudd's premium pricing reflects intensive STEM education, small class sizes, and specialized facilities, but creates affordability barriers despite financial aid availability.
Harvey Mudd College graduates demonstrate strong earnings growth with exceptional long-term outcomes. Median earnings rise from $115,107 six years after enrollment to $144,598 at eight years and $138,687 at ten years.
While earnings dip slightly from the eight to ten-year mark, the overall trajectory shows 20.5% growth from the six-year baseline, reflecting typical early-career advancement in technical fields. These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 110 to 158 graduates across different time horizons, providing solid confidence in reported figures.
Graduates earn $59,622 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Harvey Mudd College at the 99.7th percentile for earnings uplift among the highest we track. The earnings distribution spans from $79,299 at the 25th percentile to $208,094 at the 75th percentile, demonstrating strong outcomes even for graduates in lower-earning career paths.
Approximately 23.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating the college prepares students effectively for both workforce entry and advanced education in STEM fields.
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Health Sciences And Pharmacy In St. Louis Higher acceptance rate (62.1 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | MO | 75% | $137,047 | Compare |
Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences Higher acceptance rate (46 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | NY | 59% | $131,426 | Compare |
California Institute Of Technology Same state (24 miles away) with similar earnings; same institution type | CA | 3% | $128,566 | Compare |
Stanford University Same state (earnings difference: 10.5%); same institution type | CA | 4% | $124,080 | Compare |
Claremont Mckenna College Similar admission rate (1.9 percentage points difference) and similar test scores (23 point difference); located 0 miles away | CA | 11% | $104,736 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington And Lee University Similar quality tier (#143 ranked) | VA | 17% | $94,810 | #143 | Compare |
Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences Similar quality tier (#152 ranked) | NY | 59% | $131,426 | #152 | Compare |
Babson College Similar quality tier (#131 ranked) | MA | 20% | $123,938 | #131 | Compare |
Bowdoin College Similar quality tier (#172 ranked) | ME | 8% | $82,735 | #172 | Compare |
Amherst College Similar quality tier (#177 ranked) | MA | 10% | $77,644 | #177 | Compare |
