HMC vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harvey Mudd College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (951 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Harvey Mudd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvey Mudd College 8:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

HMC vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HMC or Olin 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 Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than HMC ($43,184 vs. $43,966).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering are 6.8% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($20,810 vs. $22,318).
• Harvey Mudd College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $2,215 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at HMC than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $2,215 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Harvey Mudd College (100% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harvey Mudd College students is 6.7% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($46,199 vs. $43,290).

HMC vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is 10 points higher than at Olin College (1530).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HMC - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HMC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Olin College (3.9).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than HMC (12.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

HMC vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HMC and Olin 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Harvey Mudd College's (84%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $10,830 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($14,710 vs. $25,540).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($152 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.