Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Claremont, California
13.1% Acceptance Rate
Harvey Mudd College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
13.1%Acceptance Rate
3.96Avg GPA
1537Avg SAT
35Avg ACT
$84,896Annual Cost
$138,687Grad Salary
14.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
13.1%
Avg GPA
3.96
Avg SAT
1537
Avg ACT
35
Selectivity
Extremely Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1480–1560
ACT Middle 50%
34–36
Need-Based Aid
14.1% receive Pell
Harvey Mudd College, established in 1955, is a top STEM-focused liberal arts college in Claremont, California. Known for its rigorous engineering and computer science programs, Mudd integrates humanities with technical education. The college's Clinic Program partners students with industry leaders like Google and SpaceX. Mudd's faculty emphasize collaborative, hands-on learning in small classes.
The college's inclusive culture fosters diversity in STEM. Alumni include tech entrepreneurs and NASA engineers. Mudd's blend of creativity and technical depth prepares graduates to solve complex global challenges. Its Claremont Colleges consortium expands academic and social opportunities.
Harvey Mudd College Acceptance Rate
Getting into Harvey Mudd College is a genuine long shot for most applicants. The acceptance rate is 13.1%, meaning admission is reserved for a small fraction of an already strong applicant pool.
What Mudd, HMC Admissions Looks For
- Class Rank: Admitted students typically finish in the top 2–5% of their graduating class.
- Curriculum Rigor: AP, IB, or Honors coursework is treated as a baseline, not a bonus.
- A Defined Strength: Leadership, original research, or a national-level achievement carries more weight than a long activity list.
Selectivity at a Glance
Extremely Competitive
Selectivity scale: Extremely Competitive — 13.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
At this tier, meeting the average GPA and test scores is the baseline, not the differentiator. Your essays and recommendations are what separate you from the rest of an already-strong pool.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.96 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.76 – 3.95
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.51
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Harvey Mudd College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Harvey Mudd College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 12.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 97 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 12
Early Decision II
January 5
Decision by: February 13
Regular Decision
January 5
Decision by: March 13
Transfer
March 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Mudd, HMC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Mudd, HMC is 3.96. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.66 and 3.96, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 4.16–4.36.Mudd, HMC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Extreme selectivity; requires elite academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: High Course Rigor (AP/IB/Honors) to validate the grade.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.96 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.76 – 3.95
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.56 – 3.75
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.55
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Overall acceptance rate approximately 12.3% (Class of 2029); combined ED I + ED II acceptance rate approximately 27%; Regular Decision rate approximately 10?11%; zero students admitted from the waitlist in fall 2025; transfer acceptance rate 2.9%.
- Two required supplemental essays: (1) 500-word background/impact response tied to HMC's mission statement quote by Dr. Clifton Poodry; (2) 100-word description of dream HSA class (existing or invented); optional two-page portfolio of STEM, research, or creative work. Test-optional policy extended through 2026.
- Need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents; meets 100% of demonstrated need; average need-based grant approximately $46,000; loans capped at $3,500; about 20 President's Scholars receive half-to-full tuition (selected automatically from RD pool, no separate application); CSS Profile + FAFSA due February 15 for RD.
- Member of the Claremont Colleges consortium (Pomona, CMC, Scripps, Pitzer, CGU, KGI) - cross-registration adds over 2,700 courses; Engineering Clinic is a capstone real-world project program in which junior and senior teams solve problems for industry/government sponsors; HMC confers only the Bachelor of Science degree; enrollment approximately 900 undergraduates.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Mudd, HMC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Harvey Mudd College's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Harvey Mudd College (Mudd, HMC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Mudd, HMC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Mudd, HMC Without SAT or ACT?
Mudd, HMC considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Harvey Mudd College Average SAT Score: 1537
The average SAT score of admitted students at Harvey Mudd College is 1537 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1537 — Extremely Competitive
This places Mudd, HMC in the top tier nationally for SAT scores. It sits well above the 75th percentile of all US test-takers.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1560 SAT or 36 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Harvey Mudd College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1480, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Mudd, HMC. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 775 | 760 | 790 |
| SAT Reading | 745 | 720 | 770 |
| SAT Composite | 1537 | 1480 | 1560 |
Below 1480, you're behind most admitted students; at 1560 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1550
Can I get into Harvey Mudd College (Mudd, HMC) with a 1550 SAT?
A 1550 SAT puts you ahead of most of Mudd, HMC's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Harvey Mudd College (Mudd, HMC) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Mudd, HMC is 35.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 35 — Extremely Competitive
An average of 35 places Mudd, HMC among the most ACT-competitive schools nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 35 | 33 | 36 |
| ACT English | 35 | 34 | 36 |
| ACT Composite | 35 | 34 | 36 |
Can I get into Harvey Mudd College with a 36 ACT?
A 36 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Mudd, HMC's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Mudd, HMC.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Mudd, HMC
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
At this tier, the applicants who get in usually have one thing in common: a clear, specific reason Mudd, HMC needed them, not just a strong transcript.
The 500-Word Background Essay Is the Application's Highest-Stakes Writing Task - Treat It That Way
Harvey Mudd's first supplemental prompt quotes Dr. Clifton Poodry and asks how your background has shaped the problems you want to solve, the people you want to work with, and the impact you hope to have. At 500 words this is a full-page essay, and it functions as a combined diversity statement and "why STEM" response. The prompt is deliberately open-ended, but readers consistently respond to essays that ground an abstract scientific interest in a specific lived experience - not the most dramatic hardship, but the most genuine formative moment. The admissions office has stated it values applicants who understand that scientific choices reflect values, not just aptitude. An essay that reads as a resume recitation with STEM achievements earns no traction here; an essay that locates a real human context for your technical curiosity does.
The 100-Word HSA Dream Class Response Reveals Whether You're Actually a Mudd Fit
Harvey Mudd's second supplemental asks you to describe your dream Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts class in 100 words or fewer - you may choose an existing HMC HSA course or invent your own. This is not a throwaway short answer; it is a diagnostic of whether you have internalized Mudd's core institutional identity. HMC requires all students to complete an HSA concentration in addition to their STEM major, and the mission explicitly states graduates should understand the human impact of their work. An invented course title with a specific interdisciplinary thesis (e.g., applying Rawlsian justice theory to AI governance, or examining the political economy of open-source software) demonstrates intellectual range. A generic "World History" or "Intro to Philosophy" response signals you have not researched the school.
Apply Early Decision - The Acceptance Rate Gap Is Among the Largest at Any STEM School
Harvey Mudd's overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was approximately 12.3%. The combined ED I and ED II acceptance rate was approximately 27% - more than double the Regular Decision rate. With only 229 freshmen enrolled in a recent entering class and zero students admitted from the waitlist in fall 2025, every seat at Mudd is genuinely finite. Students who are certain Mudd is their first choice and whose financial situation makes binding ED workable (the CSS Profile and FAFSA are due with the ED application) should apply ED I - the structural advantage is real and documented across multiple admitted cycles. ED denials at HMC do not allow a reapplication via Regular Decision in the same cycle.
Use the Optional Two-Page Work Portfolio Strategically, Not Reflexively
Harvey Mudd's optional third component allows applicants to submit up to two pages of work samples: math and science accomplishments, research abstracts, or creative projects. "Optional" is genuinely optional at Mudd - students without meaningful independent research or competition results should not force filler content into this space, as readers are experienced enough to distinguish substantive work from padding. The portfolio is most powerful when it shows something the rest of the application cannot convey: a proofed research abstract from a summer lab, a competition-winning engineering design, or a creative project that demonstrates the non-STEM intellectual range Mudd explicitly prizes. If your portfolio would be a list of AP class summaries, leave it blank.
Expert Insight:
Harvey Mudd's most common application failure pattern involves candidates who are mathematically and scientifically exceptional but write supplemental essays that are purely technical - describing research methodologies, competition placements, and academic accomplishments without any connective tissue to the human dimension Mudd's mission centers. The first supplemental directly quotes a researcher emphasizing that scientific choices depend on values, cultures, and beliefs. An essay that does not engage with that framing and instead reads like an extended activities list will not differentiate a strong applicant in a pool where virtually everyone has Olympiad placements, near-perfect GPAs, and advanced research experience. The essays are the primary lever available to a student whose transcript looks identical to dozens of other applicants.
Mudd, HMC Profile
Full Name
Harvey Mudd College (Mudd, HMC)
City
Claremont
State
California
ZIP Code
91711
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a Mudd, HMC Degree Worth It?
Whether Mudd, HMC is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $82,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.1%.
How much does a degree from Mudd, HMC Cost?
The sticker price is $84,896/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
14.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 34.8% take federal loans at Mudd, HMC. File your FAFSA early and list Mudd, HMC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Mudd, HMC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $138,687. That's about 242% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Harvey Mudd College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 1494 | 33 |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 1507 | 33 |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 1526 | 34 |
| University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | 1510 | 34 |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME | 1514 | 34 |
| Colby College | Waterville, ME | 1500 | 33 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Harvey Mudd College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 1534 | 34 |
| Williams College | Williamstown, MA | 1527 | 34 |
| Washington University in St Louis | St. Louis, MO | 1530 | 34 |
| Dartmouth College | Hanover, NH | 1533 | 34 |
| Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 1535 | 35 |
Degree Programs at Mudd, HMC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Mudd, HMC Admissions
Harvey Mudd College graduates typically earn around $138,687 a year, on the higher end depending on industry.
At about $84,896 a year, Harvey Mudd College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Harvey Mudd College's Pell Grant rate of 14.1% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Harvey Mudd College admits 13.1% of applicants, placing it firmly in the highly competitive range.
Admitted students at Harvey Mudd College average a 3.96 GPA.
Harvey Mudd College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.66 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.56, Harvey Mudd College becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Harvey Mudd College — aim above 1537, ideally within the 1480–1560 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Harvey Mudd College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 12.
The application fee is 70. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all California Colleges
Average SAT Score of California Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in California
Bachelor Programs in California
Test Optional Colleges in California
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in California