HMC vs. Bates

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA with Bates College in Lewiston, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bates College is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (1,760 students vs. 951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Bates College is in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting).
• Harvey Mudd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvey Mudd College 8:1; Bates College 9:1.

HMC vs. Bates Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HMC or Bates? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bates College than HMC ($24,723 vs. $43,966).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bates College are 15.9% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($18,780 vs. $22,318).
• Harvey Mudd College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bates (about $2,023 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at HMC than at Bates College (about $2,023 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at Bates College (64% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Harvey Mudd College students ($58,809 vs. $46,199).

HMC vs. Bates Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HMC or Bates? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bates and HMC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is 60 points higher than at Bates (1480).
• Incoming HMC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Bates).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570; Bates College 1420/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 34/36; Bates College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HMC - Test optional; Bates - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; Bates Jan 1, 2027.
• Bates has a higher acceptance rate (13.3%) than HMC (12.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 36.5% at Bates.

HMC vs. Bates Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HMC and Bates? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bates College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Harvey Mudd College's (84%).
• Graduates from Harvey Mudd College earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Bates graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,900 vs. $75,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $11,090 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($14,450 vs. $25,540).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $115 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($149 vs. $264).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.