Students at Harvey Mudd College achieve some of the highest earnings in higher education, with graduates earning nearly $60,000 more than similar students at other institutions.
This exceptional financial advantage reflects the college's specialized STEM focus and reputation among top employers in technology and engineering.
Harvey Mudd College stands out as one of the most financially rewarding undergraduate institutions in the United States, though it serves a highly selective and specialized student population. With graduates earning a median of $138,687 ten years after enrollment, Harvey Mudd delivers some of the strongest return on investment outcomes we track, particularly impressive given its focus on undergraduate education in STEM fields. The college's value-added earnings of nearly $60,000 above expectations demonstrates how effectively it prepares students for high-paying technical careers.
What makes Harvey Mudd unique is its intense focus on engineering, computer science, and mathematics, combined with exceptional graduate outcomes. The college enrolls just 14% Pell Grant recipients, reflecting its position as a premium institution serving primarily higher-income families. However, for students who do attend, the financial payoff is extraordinary—graduates consistently rank among the highest earners nationally, with computer science majors earning around $142,581 and mathematics graduates reaching $122,038 ten years out.
As a small private college in California's Claremont Consortium, Harvey Mudd combines the intimacy of a liberal arts environment with the career outcomes typically associated with top-tier engineering schools. The college's 94% six-year graduation rate and near-universal loan repayment success reflect both the quality of education and the financial security graduates achieve in their careers.
Harvey Mudd College's program portfolio reflects its specialized mission as one of the nation's premier undergraduate STEM institutions. Computer Science leads in aggregate return, graduating 47 students annually who earn around $142,581 ten years out—a combination of strong enrollment and exceptional pay that makes it the college's economic engine. Applied Engineering, the largest program with 68 graduates, produces median earnings of $81,997, while Mathematics and Computer Science majors reach $122,038, demonstrating the consistent strength across Harvey Mudd's technical offerings.
What sets Harvey Mudd apart is the depth of preparation students receive in these high-demand fields. The college's intensive curriculum and small class sizes create graduates who are highly sought after by top technology companies, quantitative finance firms, and graduate programs. The consistently high earnings across all three major programs reflect both the quality of education and the college's reputation among employers who compete for Harvey Mudd graduates.
As a focused institution graduating relatively small cohorts each year, Harvey Mudd creates concentrated expertise rather than broad program diversity. This specialization pays dividends in the job market, where Harvey Mudd's reputation for producing exceptional STEM graduates translates directly into premium starting salaries and accelerated career advancement for students across all its programs.
Harvey Mudd College delivers exceptional long-term financial outcomes that rank among the best in higher education. Graduates earn a median of $138,687 ten years after enrollment, with the college's value-added earnings of nearly $60,000 demonstrating that students earn far more than similar students at other institutions. This earnings advantage reflects Harvey Mudd's specialized focus on high-demand STEM fields and its reputation among top employers in technology, engineering, and quantitative finance.
The college's program portfolio drives these outstanding results. Computer Science, the highest aggregate return major, graduates 47 students annually who earn around $142,581 ten years out, combining strong enrollment with exceptional pay. Applied Engineering, the largest program with 68 graduates, produces median earnings of $81,997, while Mathematics and Computer Science majors reach $122,038. These three programs represent the core of Harvey Mudd's academic mission and demonstrate how focused excellence in technical fields translates to remarkable career outcomes.
What sets Harvey Mudd apart is not just the absolute earnings levels, but how consistently graduates outperform expectations. The college's small size and intensive curriculum create graduates who command premium salaries in competitive industries. With California's high cost of living, these earnings provide substantial purchasing power, and the college's track record shows that graduates typically see continued salary growth throughout their careers in technology, engineering, and research roles.
Harvey Mudd College presents a complex affordability picture that varies dramatically by family income. Low-income students pay about $17,340 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $18,937—both representing substantial financial aid packages that make the college accessible to students from modest backgrounds. However, high-income families pay the full freight of approximately $52,642 per year, reflecting the college's premium positioning and limited aid for families with higher earnings.
Debt levels are moderate relative to the college's high sticker price and exceptional graduate earnings. Typical federal student loan debt is $25,000, while Parent PLUS borrowing averages $33,386 for families who choose this option. Given Harvey Mudd's median graduate earnings of nearly $139,000, these debt levels represent manageable obligations that graduates can typically handle comfortably. The college's zero percent default rate underscores how well graduates can service their educational investments.
What makes Harvey Mudd's costs sustainable is the extraordinary return on investment. While the upfront expense is substantial, particularly for middle and upper-middle-income families, the long-term financial benefits typically justify the investment. The college's focused mission means families are essentially paying for access to some of the highest-earning career paths available to undergraduate students, with outcomes that often exceed those at much larger and more expensive research universities.
Harvey Mudd College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
