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Harvey Mudd College vs Stanford University

Harvey Mudd College is a private college in Claremont, CA. Stanford University is a private university in Stanford, CA. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants and Harvey Mudd College about 13%, making Stanford University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,807 a year at Stanford University after aid, and about $35,924 at Harvey Mudd College. About 93% of students graduate at Harvey Mudd College, compared with 92% at Stanford University. Ten years after enrolling, Harvey Mudd College alumni earn a median of about $138,687, against $124,080 for Stanford University.

Harvey Mudd College

Claremont, CA · Private

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Claremont, CA
Stanford, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
921
7,554
Acceptance rate
13%
4%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.53–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1500–1570
1510–1580
ACT (middle 50%)
34–36
34–35
Test policy
Test optional
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$35,924
$13,807
Full cost / yr
$90,165
$87,833
In-state tuition
$68,613
$65,910
Out-of-state tuition
$68,613
$65,910
Application fee
$70
$90
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$27,979
$0*
$30k - $48k
$23,883
$0*
$48k - $75k
$17,968
$3,212
$75k - $110k
$25,468
$11,092
Over $110k
$50,665
$53,882
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
92%
Freshman retention
96%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$115,107
$102,887
Median earnings (10 yr)
$138,687
$124,080
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$12,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
15%
19%
First-generation students
Not reported
30%
International students
11%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 5
Jan 5

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Harvey Mudd College or Stanford University harder to get into?
Stanford University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% of applicants, compared with 13% at Harvey Mudd College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Harvey Mudd College or Stanford University?
Stanford University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,807 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $35,924 at Harvey Mudd College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Harvey Mudd College and Stanford University?
Before aid, Stanford University costs about $87,833 a year and Harvey Mudd College about $90,165. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Harvey Mudd College or Stanford University?
Stanford University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,536 there, against about $27,979 at Harvey Mudd College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Harvey Mudd College or Stanford University?
Stanford University is the larger of the two, with about 7,554 undergraduates against 921 at Harvey Mudd College.
Does Harvey Mudd College or Stanford University have a better graduation rate?
Harvey Mudd College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 92% at Stanford University.
Do graduates of Harvey Mudd College or Stanford University earn more?
Harvey Mudd College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $138,687 ten years after enrolling, against about $124,080 for Stanford University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Harvey Mudd College and Stanford University require SAT or ACT scores?
Harvey Mudd College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Stanford University requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Harvey Mudd College and Stanford University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1500–1570 at Harvey Mudd College and 1510–1580 at Stanford University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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