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College comparison
Carnegie Mellon vs Harvey Mudd
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh, PA |  Harvey Mudd Claremont, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateCarnegie Mellon University is more selective | 12% | 13% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1500–1570 | 1500–1570 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,304 | 921 |
| Avg net price | $31,944 | $35,924 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Harvey Mudd reports higher median earnings | $114,862 | $138,687 |
| Graduation rate | 94% | 92% |
| Median debt | $21,750 | $25,000 |
| Economic mobility | 2.2% | 2.9% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Carnegie Mellon vs Harvey Mudd: how they compare
Two elite STEM powerhouses, one a comprehensive urban research university and the other an intensely collaborative suburban liberal-arts college.
By the numbers Both are highly selective with near-identical student profiles: Carnegie Mellon’s acceptance rate is 12% versus Harvey Mudd’s 13%, and both report an SAT 25–75 percentile range of 1500–1570. Outcomes diverge: Harvey Mudd’s 10-year median earnings are $139k, notably higher than Carnegie Mellon’s $115k. This contributes to Harvey Mudd’s superior calculated value of 3.9× earnings per dollar of net price versus Carnegie Mellon’s 3.6×, despite Harvey Mudd’s higher average net price ($36k vs. $32k). Harvey Mudd also shows a significantly higher economic-mobility rate (292% vs. 219%) and a much stronger “future-scholar” yield for science/engineering PhDs (28.7 vs. 8). Both share a high DOE financial health score of 3.0/3 and high graduation rates (94% at CMU, 92% at Mudd), but Harvey Mudd exhibits higher admit-rate volatility (63% vs. 51%).
Where they overlap Culturally, both are known as intellectual communities for focused STEM students, with a shared reputation for an academically intense atmosphere. They attract similar cohorts of high-achieving, quantitatively gifted problem-solvers.
How they differ The experience is fundamentally different. Carnegie Mellon is a major research university in Pittsburgh, offering scale, extensive graduate programs, and urban industry connections. Harvey Mudd is a small, residential liberal-arts college in suburban Claremont, defined by a mandatory core curriculum in sciences and humanities, a prevalent on-campus living culture, and no Greek-life system. CMU provides breadth across many specializations; Harvey Mudd emphasizes a generalist engineering and science foundation within a tight-knit, collaborative residential community.
Who each suits Carnegie Mellon suits the student seeking a broad academic menu, research infrastructure, and a university experience in a city, particularly one focused on computer science, engineering, or robotics. Harvey Mudd is for the student who prioritizes a small, immersive, and collaborative liberal-arts science education, values a prescribed core curriculum, and thrives in a residential community where most students live on campus.
Editorial overview — a qualitative summary of culture and fit, reviewed for accuracy. Not a ranking or a guarantee.
Quick answers
- Is Carnegie Mellon University or Harvey Mudd College harder to get into?
- Carnegie Mellon University is more selective: Carnegie Mellon University's acceptance rate is approximately 12% and Harvey Mudd College's is approximately 13% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon University vs Harvey Mudd College?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1500–1570 at Carnegie Mellon University and 1500–1570 at Harvey Mudd College. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.