Head-to-Head Comparison
Claremont McKenna College vs Harvey Mudd College
- Claremont McKenna Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 12
- Harvey Mudd Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Claremont McKenna College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $28,849 vs Harvey Mudd College's $35,924, Claremont McKenna College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Claremont McKenna College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
47 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Claremont McKenna
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,849, roughly $7,075 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 10% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Harvey Mudd
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $138,687 ten years after enrollment, 32% more than Claremont McKenna College
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Claremont McKenna graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (43% of degrees); Harvey Mudd in Engineering (29%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Harvey Mudd College over Claremont McKenna College. Median earnings of $138,687 ten years after enrollment vs $104,736.
Pick Claremont McKenna College over Harvey Mudd College. Net price $28,849 vs $35,924.
Pick Claremont McKenna College over Harvey Mudd College. 3% mobility rate vs 2.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Claremont McKenna College and Harvey Mudd College are close on paper, but Claremont McKenna College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Claremont McKenna College is the harder admit. It takes 10% of applicants, while Harvey Mudd College takes 13%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,527 to 1,545.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Claremont McKenna College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Claremont McKenna College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,849, about $7,075 a year below Harvey Mudd College's $35,924. Graduates of Claremont McKenna College also borrow less: median debt of $13,500, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $28,300 before any change in aid. Choosing Claremont McKenna College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Harvey Mudd College graduates report median earnings of $138,687, compared with $104,736 at Claremont McKenna College. That is a 32% advantage. Set against borrowing, Claremont McKenna College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 32% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Claremont McKenna College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3%; at Harvey Mudd College, it is 2.9%. Claremont McKenna College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Claremont McKenna College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Claremont McKenna College to keep costs and debt down; pick Harvey Mudd College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Claremont McKenna College saves about $7,075 a year, yet Harvey Mudd College graduates earn $33,951 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Claremont McKenna College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, while Harvey Mudd College leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Physical Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Claremont McKenna College's enrollment, and Harvey Mudd College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Claremont McKenna College's enrollment of 1,388 far exceeds Harvey Mudd College's 921.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $35,924 runs well above Claremont McKenna College's $28,849.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $13,500 at Claremont McKenna College.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Claremont McKenna holds onto its admits more tightly: 51% of admitted students enroll, versus 37% at Harvey Mudd — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Claremont McKenna (22.1% Early Decision admit rate vs 18.4%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Claremont McKenna, where only about 48% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 4 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
The Overviews
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA · Private nonprofit
Claremont McKenna College has an impressive graduation rate of 93%. This high rate reflects the college's commitment to student success and academic support. With a low acceptance rate of 10%, it attracts motivated students who are ready for a rigorous academic environment.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics for Claremont McKenna are not available. However, the college's focus on social sciences, business, and technology indicates a strong preparation for the workforce. Graduates typically earn an average of $104,736 within ten years, suggesting a solid return on investment for students.
The net price for attending Claremont McKenna is $28,849, and the median student debt stands at $13,500. This financial framework makes it accessible for a range of students, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, as evidenced by the 18% Pell Grant rate. Students who thrive here are often those seeking a challenging academic experience and who are interested in fields like business, psychology, and the sciences.
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA · Private nonprofit
Harvey Mudd College stands out with a graduation rate of 93%. This exceptional statistic indicates a strong commitment to student success and support. Students here can expect an educational environment that promotes completion and achievement.
The earnings potential for graduates is impressive, with a median income of $138,687 ten years after graduation. This signals strong career outcomes, especially for those entering fields like engineering and computer science. While specific mobility rates are not available, the data suggests that students from various backgrounds can find opportunities for advancement.
Attending Harvey Mudd comes with a net price of $35,924 and a median debt of $25,000. This financial landscape makes it essential for students to consider their return on investment. Those who thrive here are often driven, with a passion for STEM fields, and benefit from a rigorous academic environment that aligns with their career aspirations.
Rankings They Appear On
Claremont McKenna College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Claremont McKenna's top program is Sociology (43% of enrollment), while Harvey Mudd leads with Mechanical Engineering (29%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Claremont McKenna) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Harvey Mudd).
The two schools feed different job markets. Claremont McKenna College is strongest in Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, Psychology, while Harvey Mudd College concentrates in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Physical Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Claremont McKenna College or Harvey Mudd College?
Claremont McKenna College is harder to get into, admitting 10% of applicants compared with 13% at Harvey Mudd College.
Which is more affordable, Claremont McKenna College or Harvey Mudd College?
Claremont McKenna College is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,849 after aid versus $35,924 at Harvey Mudd College.
Do Claremont McKenna College or Harvey Mudd College graduates earn more?
Harvey Mudd College graduates earn more: median earnings of $138,687 ten years after enrollment, versus $104,736 at Claremont McKenna College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Claremont McKenna College or Harvey Mudd College?
Claremont McKenna College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 93%.
Claremont McKenna College vs Harvey Mudd College: which is better for social mobility?
Claremont McKenna College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3% versus 2.9%.
Should you choose Claremont McKenna College or Harvey Mudd College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Claremont McKenna College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Harvey Mudd College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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