Overview
Harvey Mudd College is a highly selective private four-year institution in Claremont, California. The school accepts 13.4% of applicants and enrolls 915 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 13.4%
- Average SAT
- 1,520
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,480–1,560
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 35
- Total Enrollment
- 915
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Harvey Mudd cares deeply about your problem-solving process, not just your final answers. Your application should showcase how you approach complex technical challenges and learn from failure. The admissions office wants to see genuine intellectual curiosity about STEM fields and evidence that you can handle the school's intense collaborative environment.
Unlike other top engineering schools, Harvey Mudd requires every student to complete a substantial humanities core curriculum alongside technical coursework. Your essays should address why you want this broad foundation rather than narrow technical specialization. The school's clinic program pairs student teams with real companies to solve actual engineering problems, so discuss any hands-on project experience you have.
Reference specific aspects of Mudd culture in your supplements. The Honor Code governs everything from take-home exams to dorm life. Mention traditions like the annual prank wars between East and West dorms, or how upperclassmen mentor underclassmen through difficult problem sets. The school's small size means professors know students personally and research opportunities start freshman year.
Don't position yourself as someone who only cares about grades and test scores. Harvey Mudd students are known for their humor and creativity alongside their technical skills. The admissions office can spot applications that treat Mudd as a backup to MIT or Caltech. This isn't a school for students who want to coast through college or avoid liberal arts requirements.
The application includes Mudd-specific essay prompts about problem-solving and your interest in STEM. Your responses should be concrete and personal rather than abstract discussions of "changing the world." Early Decision provides a significant advantage given the school's small class size. Harvey Mudd is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, so explain why you want Mudd specifically rather than just access to the five-college system.
Your recommendation letters should emphasize your ability to work well with others under pressure. Harvey Mudd students frequently pull all-nighters together working through problem sets, and the culture rewards helping classmates succeed rather than competing against them.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $32,492/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $66,255
- Students Receiving Aid
- 14%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 93.8%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $138,687/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 96.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Harvey Mudd College require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
Harvey Mudd College is test-optional for most applicants. Students can choose whether to submit standardized test scores as part of their application.
What is the application deadline for Harvey Mudd College?
Harvey Mudd College offers Early Decision I (November 15), Early Decision II (January 5), and Regular Decision (January 5) application deadlines.
Can you transfer to Harvey Mudd College from another school?
Harvey Mudd College accepts a limited number of transfer students each year. Transfer applications are due by April 1 for fall admission.
What makes Harvey Mudd College different from other engineering schools?
Harvey Mudd requires all students to complete a common core curriculum covering math, science, engineering, and humanities regardless of major. Students also have access to courses and resources at the other Claremont Colleges.