US University · Ranked #23
Harvey Mudd College: Acceptance Rate & Admission Requirements (2026)
Harvey Mudd College is a highly selective university that admits roughly 13% of applicants. Set in Claremont, California and ranked #23 nationally in our dataset, Harvey Mudd College attracts a deep, accomplished applicant pool, so a strong academic record is the entry ticket rather than the deciding factor. Successful candidates typically pair excellent grades with a clear, well-articulated reason for applying here specifically.
Harvey Mudd is an elite STEM liberal arts college known for its rigorous curriculum, tiny class sizes, and producing top graduates in tech and engineering.
This guide breaks down Harvey Mudd College's selectivity, the academic profile of admitted students, how its application deadlines should shape your strategy, and the programs it is best known for — followed by answers to the questions applicants ask most.
Harvey Mudd College admission statistics
- Acceptance rate
- 13%
- SAT range
- 1460–1560
- Average GPA
- 3.91
- In-state
- $64,427
- Out-of-state
- $64,427
- Enrollment
- 936
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Claremont, California
How hard is it to get into Harvey Mudd College?
An acceptance rate of 13% places Harvey Mudd College firmly in the highly selective category. Academic excellence is necessary but not sufficient here: the majority of denied applicants are fully qualified on paper. Decisions turn on the strength of essays, recommendations, and demonstrated depth in a few areas rather than a long list of activities.
Plan for Harvey Mudd College as a reach. Make sure your list includes target and likely schools, and use your essays to show depth and a specific reason this school fits your goals.
Academic profile of admitted students
Admitted students at Harvey Mudd College typically score between 1460 and 1560 on the SAT — this is the middle 50% range, so a quarter of enrolled students scored below 1460 and a quarter above 1560. A score at or above 1560 is competitive even at the more selective end of the pool. Alongside test scores, the average GPA of admitted students is approximately 3.91 on a 4.0 scale, indicating that successful applicants generally earned mostly A's in a rigorous course load.
As a planning benchmark, aim for an SAT around 1510 or higher and a GPA at or near 3.91. Scores meaningfully below the 25th percentile (1460) are not disqualifying on their own, but they put more weight on the rest of the application to compensate.
Harvey Mudd Collegeapplication deadlines & strategy
- • Early Decision: Nov 15
- • Regular Decision: Jan 5
Harvey Mudd College's Early Decision deadline is Nov 15, with Regular Decision on Jan 5. Early Decision is binding — an admit obligates you to enroll and withdraw other applications. Apply ED only if Harvey Mudd College is your clear first choice and you do not need to weigh competing financial-aid packages; the bump in admit rate is real but it is a commitment, not a tactic.
Whichever round you choose, give recommenders at least three to four weeks of notice and budget time for essay revisions — the strongest applications are rarely written in the final week before Jan 5.
Notable programs at Harvey Mudd College
- Computer Science — a perennial high-demand field with competitive secondary admission at many schools.
- Engineering — typically a more selective track with specific math and science prerequisites.
- Mathematics — a research-intensive area well-supported by the institution's faculty.
- Physics — a research-intensive area well-supported by the institution's faculty.
- Biology — a common pre-health major with heavy lab and prerequisite expectations.
Harvey Mudd College is particularly known for Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology.
Strong programs matter for admissions because many schools admit by college or major, and a credible, specific interest in one of these areas — reflected in your coursework, activities, and essays — is far more persuasive than a generic application.
Cost of attending Harvey Mudd College
As a private institution with a single tuition rate for all students, Harvey Mudd College charges the same tuition regardless of residency — approximately $64,427 per year. The sticker price is high, but private schools at this level often have substantial need-based aid, so the net price for many families is considerably lower; run the school's net price calculator before ruling it out on cost alone.
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Harvey Mudd College: frequently asked questions
- What is the acceptance rate at Harvey Mudd College?
- Harvey Mudd College has an acceptance rate of 13%, which makes it highly selective. Plan for Harvey Mudd College as a reach. Make sure your list includes target and likely schools, and use your essays to show depth and a specific reason this school fits your goals.
- What SAT score do you need for Harvey Mudd College?
- Admitted students at Harvey Mudd College typically score between 1460 and 1560 on the SAT (the middle 50%). Aiming for 1560 or above makes you competitive, while a score below 1460 puts more weight on the rest of your application.
- What GPA do you need to get into Harvey Mudd College?
- The average GPA of admitted students at Harvey Mudd College is approximately 3.91 on a 4.0 scale. Competitive applicants generally have mostly A's in a rigorous course load; a GPA at or near 3.91 is the practical target.
- What is the application deadline for Harvey Mudd College?
- Harvey Mudd College's application deadlines: Early Decision is Nov 15 (binding); Regular Decision is Jan 5. Submit a few days early to avoid last-minute portal problems.
- Is Harvey Mudd College a public or private university?
- Harvey Mudd College is a private university. Tuition is the same regardless of residency, but need-based aid can substantially lower the net price.
- How much does it cost to attend Harvey Mudd College?
- As a private institution with a single tuition rate for all students, Harvey Mudd College charges the same tuition regardless of residency — approximately $64,427 per year. The sticker price is high, but private schools at this level often have substantial need-based aid, so the net price for many families is considerably lower; run the school's net price calculator before ruling it out on cost alone.