Harvey Mudd College vs University of Southern California
Harvey Mudd College is a private college in Claremont, CA, and University of Southern California is a private university in Los Angeles, CA. University of Southern California is the more selective of the two, admitting about 10% of applicants against 13% at Harvey Mudd College. University of Southern California is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $32,740 a year against $35,924 at Harvey Mudd College. About 93% of students graduate at Harvey Mudd College, compared with 92% at University of Southern California. Ten years after enrolling, Harvey Mudd College alumni earn a median of about $138,687, against $92,498 for University of Southern California.
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Claremont, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
921
20,443
Acceptance rate
13%
10%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.53–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1500–1570
1450–1550
ACT (middle 50%)
34–36
32–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$35,924
$32,740
Full cost / yr
$90,165
$90,300
In-state tuition
$68,613
$72,097
Out-of-state tuition
$68,613
$72,097
Application fee
$70
$85
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$27,979
$13,516
$30k - $48k
$23,883
$14,394
$48k - $75k
$17,968
$19,539
$75k - $110k
$25,468
$24,976
Over $110k
$50,665
$56,116
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
92%
Freshman retention
96%
96%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$115,107
$74,461
Median earnings (10 yr)
$138,687
$92,498
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$18,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
15%
22%
First-generation students
Not reported
25%
International students
11%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 5
Jan 10
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.
- Is Harvey Mudd College or University of Southern California harder to get into?
- University of Southern California is harder to get into. It admits about 10% 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 University of Southern California?
- University of Southern California is cheaper on average. Students pay about $32,740 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 University of Southern California?
- Before aid, Harvey Mudd College costs about $90,165 a year and University of Southern California about $90,300. 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 University of Southern California?
- University of Southern California. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $13,516 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 University of Southern California?
- University of Southern California is the larger of the two, with about 20,443 undergraduates against 921 at Harvey Mudd College.
- Does Harvey Mudd College or University of Southern California have a better graduation rate?
- Harvey Mudd College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 92% at University of Southern California.
- Do graduates of Harvey Mudd College or University of Southern California earn more?
- Harvey Mudd College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $138,687 ten years after enrolling, against about $92,498 for University of Southern California. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Harvey Mudd College and University of Southern California require SAT or ACT scores?
- Harvey Mudd College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of Southern California is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Harvey Mudd College and University of Southern California look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1500–1570 at Harvey Mudd College and 1450–1550 at University of Southern California. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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