HMC Admission Requirements

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Claremont, CA
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HMC Admission Overview

HMC admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in California. Last year HMC admitted 12.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1500-1570 / ACT 34-36. HMC is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HMC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HMC Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

12.7%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The HMC acceptance rate is 12.7%. Last year, only 645 of 5,094 applicants were admitted. That is the 9th lowest acceptance rate in California and the 45th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into HMC and can you get accepted?

HMC is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

36% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HMC GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.96*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.96*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

HMC has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.96 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.96 GPA does not by itself determine admission. HMC is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

*3.96 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

HMC SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1500-1570

Freshmen who sent SAT

52%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 730
Math 770
Composite 1500

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 770
Math 800
Composite 1570

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at HMC typically score around a 1540 SAT (middle 50% 1500–1570) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. HMC ranks #3 in the state of California and #13 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1500 to 1570

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1500–1570 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

HMC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1540 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Harvey Mudd College
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1570+	Above 75th	>22%
1540 to 1570	Avg +	14%-22%
1500 to 1540	Avg -	7%-14%
Below 1500	Below mid-50	<7%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HMC ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

34-36

Freshmen reporting ACT

16%

25th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 33
Composite 34

75th Percentile Scores

English 36
Math 35
Composite 36

Average ACT

Incoming testers at HMC typically have around a 35 ACT (mid-50 34–36) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. HMC places #2 among colleges in California and #2 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 34 to 36

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 34–36 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to HMC without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 35.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Harvey Mudd College
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
36	Above 75th	>22%
35 to 36	Avg +	13%-22%
34 to 35	Avg -	7%-13%
Below 34	Below mid-50	<7%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the HMC chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Harvey Mudd College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	1,664	3,424	5,094
Accepted	351	293	645
Acceptance Rate	21%	9%	13%
Enrolled	116	115	231
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	33%	39%	36%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Harvey Mudd College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Harvey Mudd College application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 5, 2027

Days left to Apply

127

Applicants have 127 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 5, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Harvey Mudd College is $70.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Harvey Mudd College
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	No
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

HMC is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 12.7% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1500-1570); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025