Stanford vs Harvey Mudd College

Stanford University and Harvey Mudd College, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Stanford, a world-renowned research university, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, with popular majors in computer science, engineering, and economics. Harvey Mudd, a highly selective liberal arts college, emphasizes hands-on learning and interdisciplinary studies, with strengths in engineering, mathematics, and the sciences. While both schools offer excellent opportunities for academic achievement and personal growth, their acceptance rates, student demographics, and graduation rates vary significantly. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your aspirations and goals.

	Harvey Mudd College	Stanford University
Overview
Location	Claremont, California	Stanford, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	98.0%	98.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	10.0%	3.9%
Application fees	$70	Undergraduate: $90 Graduate: $125
SAT range	1480 - 1560	1470 - 1570
ACT range	34 - 36	34 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	40.0%	15.0%
Students submitting ACT score	20.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	4,737	55,471
Total number of admissions given out	473	2,190
Admitted students who chose to enroll	225	1,757
Yield rate	47.6%	80.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$82,236	$78,898
Average net price	$33,838	$14,402
Tuition	$60,402	$55,473
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,592 Meal plan: $8,741	Room/dormitory: $11,166 Meal plan: $6,694
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	63.0% Average amount $32,188	61.0% Average amount $56,211
Students receiving federal student loan	38.0% Average amount $4,821	5.0% Average amount $5,151
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $9,820	1.0% Average amount $17,186

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	905 Men 50.3% Women 49.7%	7,645 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
Graduate students	N/A	10,035 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	58.5%
International students	8.5%	24.4%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	926	14,621
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	California Texas Washington New York Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Computer and Information Science Multidisciplinary Studies Physical Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	5:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	94.4%	95.5%
Dropout rate	0.5%	1.7%
Transferred out	4.7%	0.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $118,973 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $166,134 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $123,339 Year 2: $142,581 Year 3: $159,657 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,948 Year 2: $81,997 Year 3: $90,517	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $151,574 Year 2: $170,457 Year 3: $210,837 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $159,729 Year 2: $168,942 Year 3: $203,193 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $164,734 Year 2: $163,337 Year 3: $187,054 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $137,457 Year 2: $150,874 Year 3: $173,548 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $136,126 Year 2: $136,499 Year 3: $165,375 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $128,556 Year 2: $135,709 Year 3: $157,500 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $123,354 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $139,234 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,326 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,185 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,457 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $107,477 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,475 Year 2: $85,391 Year 3: $104,592

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Stanford University and Harvey Mudd College?

Stanford University offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including humanities, sciences, engineering, business, law, and medicine. Harvey Mudd College, on the other hand, focuses exclusively on science, engineering, and mathematics, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning within these fields.
How do the student bodies compare in size and diversity?

Stanford University has a significantly larger student body, with a diverse mix of undergraduate and graduate students from around the world. Harvey Mudd College has a much smaller, more intimate student body, primarily composed of undergraduate students also from diverse backgrounds, but with a shared passion for STEM fields.
What is the difference in campus culture and environment?

Stanford's campus culture is often described as entrepreneurial, innovative, and highly competitive, with a strong emphasis on research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Harvey Mudd's culture is known for its close-knit community, collaborative learning environment, and emphasis on ethical considerations in STEM fields. It's generally considered less competitive and more supportive.
How do the research opportunities differ between the two institutions?

Stanford University offers extensive research opportunities across a wide range of disciplines, with numerous research centers, institutes, and laboratories. Harvey Mudd College provides ample research opportunities for undergraduates, often involving close collaboration with faculty members on cutting-edge projects. While Stanford's research scope is broader, Harvey Mudd offers more focused undergraduate research experiences.
What are the career prospects for graduates of Stanford and Harvey Mudd?

Graduates from both Stanford University and Harvey Mudd College enjoy excellent career prospects. Stanford graduates find opportunities in a wide array of fields, often in leadership positions. Harvey Mudd graduates are highly sought after by tech companies, research institutions, and graduate programs in STEM fields. Both schools have strong alumni networks that support career development.
How do the admissions processes and selectivity compare?

Both Stanford University and Harvey Mudd College are highly selective institutions. Stanford's admissions process considers a broad range of factors, including academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal essays. Harvey Mudd's admissions process places a strong emphasis on applicants' aptitude and passion for STEM, as well as their contributions to their communities. Both require exceptional academic records and strong standardized test scores (though policies may vary year to year).
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each school?

Stanford University has larger class sizes, especially in introductory courses, but also offers smaller, more specialized classes. The student-to-faculty ratio is around 5:1. Harvey Mudd College boasts smaller class sizes and a lower student-to-faculty ratio (around 8:1), fostering closer interactions between students and professors.
How do the locations of Stanford and Harvey Mudd impact the student experience?

Stanford University is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, providing students with unparalleled access to tech companies, startups, and venture capital firms. Harvey Mudd College is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium in Claremont, California, offering a more suburban and academically focused environment, while still being within driving distance of Los Angeles.
What are the strengths of each institution in specific STEM fields?

Stanford University is renowned for its programs in computer science, electrical engineering, and bioengineering, among others. Harvey Mudd College excels in mathematics, physics, and engineering, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and hands-on learning.
What are the opportunities for students interested in humanities and arts at each school?

While Stanford University offers a comprehensive range of humanities and arts programs, Harvey Mudd College provides opportunities for students to explore these fields through its humanities, social sciences, and arts (HSA) curriculum. Harvey Mudd students are required to take a significant number of HSA courses, ensuring a well-rounded education, though the depth and breadth of offerings are less than at Stanford.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Stanford and Harvey Mudd?

The cost of attendance at both Stanford University and Harvey Mudd College is high, but both institutions offer generous financial aid packages to eligible students. The net cost of attendance will vary depending on individual financial circumstances. It's best to consult the financial aid websites of each institution for the most up-to-date information.
What are the unique aspects of the undergraduate experience at Harvey Mudd College?

Harvey Mudd College offers several unique aspects to its undergraduate experience, including the Clinic Program (where students work on real-world engineering and science problems for companies and organizations), the emphasis on a broad-based education through the HSA requirement, and the strong sense of community fostered by its small size and collaborative learning environment.

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