HMC vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

HMC vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HMC or Oberlin? 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 Harvey Mudd College than Oberlin ($43,966 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 12.6% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($19,510 vs. $22,318).
• Harvey Mudd College is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $1,247 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at HMC than at Oberlin College (about $1,247 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Harvey Mudd College (99% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harvey Mudd College students is 29.1% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($46,199 vs. $35,780).

HMC vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is 100 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming HMC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 34/36; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HMC - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HMC students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than HMC (12.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

HMC vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HMC and Oberlin? 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).

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Harvey Mudd College's (84%).
• Graduates from Harvey Mudd College earn a median of about $41,000 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,900 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvey Mudd College graduates have a $1,039 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($25,540 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, HMC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($264 vs. $274).

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.