How hard is it to get into Harvey Mudd College?
With a 12.7% acceptance rate, Harvey Mudd College is highly selective — a reach for nearly every applicant. It enrolls roughly 920 undergraduates (suburban setting) in Claremont, CA. At this level, strong grades and scores are the baseline, not the differentiator — your essays and what makes you distinctive carry real weight.
What it takes to get in
- SAT: admitted students land around 1510–1560 (middle 50%). Aim for the upper end to be competitive.
- ACT: the middle 50% is about 34–36.
- Testing policy: Test-optional. Confirm on the school's site, since policies shift each cycle.
- Essays: at Harvey Mudd College's selectivity, the application essays are often what separates similar applicants. Make them specific and authentically yours.
Cost
Published tuition is about $68,262 per year before aid. Many students pay less after financial aid — check the school's net price calculator.
Notable programs
Engineering · Computer Science · Mathematics · Physics
Score your Harvey Mudd College essays, free
Great numbers get you in the room; the essays get you in. Paste your draft into Halo for instant, rubric-based feedback. Halo never writes your essay for you.
Try Halo freeHarvey Mudd College admissions FAQ
- What is Harvey Mudd College's acceptance rate?
- Harvey Mudd College's acceptance rate is 12.7%, which makes it highly selective — a reach for nearly every applicant.
- What SAT or ACT score do you need for Harvey Mudd College?
- Admitted students typically score about 1510–1560 on the SAT (middle 50%) and about 34–36 on the ACT. Scores at or above this range strengthen your application, but they are one factor among many.
- Is Harvey Mudd College test-optional?
- Harvey Mudd College's current testing policy is: Test-optional. Always confirm on the school's admissions site, as policies change by cycle.
Sources & official links
- Harvey Mudd College official website
- Harvey Mudd College on College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education)
- Admissions figures compiled from the Common Data Set and IPEDS.
Figures are the most recent available from Common Data Set, IPEDS, and public reports, and are approximate. Always confirm details on Harvey Mudd College’s official admissions site.