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College comparison
Harvey Mudd vs MIT
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 |  Harvey Mudd Claremont, CA |  MIT Cambridge, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateMassachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective | 13% | 5% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1500–1570 | 1520–1580 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 921 | 4,535 |
| Avg net price | $35,924 | $20,111 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)MIT reports higher median earnings | $138,687 | $143,372 |
| Graduation rate | 92% | 96% |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $14,768 |
| Economic mobility | 2.9% | 3.4% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Harvey Mudd vs MIT: how they compare
Both are premier STEM institutions, but the choice hinges on scale, support, and student life.
By the numbers MIT is more selective (5% vs. 13% acceptance) and its admitted class has a slightly higher SAT 25–75th percentile range (1520–1580 vs. 1500–1570). Financially, MIT offers a significantly lower average net price ($20k vs. $36k) and a higher long-term value multiple (7.1× vs. 3.9× earnings per dollar of net price). MIT also leads in 10-year median earnings ($143k vs. $139k), economic mobility rate (340% vs. 292%), and graduation rate (96% vs. 92%). Harvey Mudd, however, produces future science and engineering PhDs at a notably higher rate (future-scholar yield 28.7 vs. 17.8) and shows slightly less volatility in its admissions rate (63% vs. 72%).
Where they overlap Both are intensely rigorous, top-tier destinations for students passionate about science, engineering, and mathematics. They attract academically driven peers and are deeply respected within academia and industry. Culturally, both are known for collaborative, rather than cutthroat, environments where students often bond over shared intellectual challenges.
How they differ The scale and setting create distinct experiences. MIT is a large, world-renowned research university in an urban environment (Cambridge), offering a vast array of majors, research labs, and extracurricular activities. Harvey Mudd is a small, intimate liberal arts college in a suburban setting, focused on a core curriculum that blends STEM with humanities and social sciences. This fosters a more personal, communal atmosphere with close faculty mentorship, but with fewer course and activity options than a large university.
Who each suits MIT suits students who thrive in a fast-paced, resource-rich urban environment and want immense breadth in academic exploration, research, and campus life. Harvey Mudd is ideal for those who prefer a tight-knit, collaborative community with a structured, interdisciplinary STEM foundation and value close relationships with professors and classmates above the scale of offerings.
Editorial overview — a qualitative summary of culture and fit, reviewed for accuracy. Not a ranking or a guarantee.
Quick answers
- Is Harvey Mudd College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology harder to get into?
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective: Harvey Mudd College's acceptance rate is approximately 13% and Massachusetts Institute of Technology's is approximately 5% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Harvey Mudd College vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1500–1570 at Harvey Mudd College and 1520–1580 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 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.