HMC vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carleton College is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Harvey Mudd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvey Mudd College 8:1; Carleton College 8:1.

HMC vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HMC or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College than HMC ($28,047 vs. $43,966).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 21.2% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($17,586 vs. $22,318).
• Carleton College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than HMC (about $279 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $68,613.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Carleton College than at Harvey Mudd College (about $279 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $68,613.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at Carleton College (64% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 23% larger than aid received by Harvey Mudd College students ($56,846 vs. $46,199).

HMC vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HMC or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College and HMC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is 30 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming HMC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 33 at Carleton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 34/36; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HMC - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HMC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Carleton College (3.9).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than HMC (12.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

HMC vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HMC and Carleton College? 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Harvey Mudd College's (84%).
• Graduates from Harvey Mudd College earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,900 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $6,040 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,540).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($201 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.