HMC vs. Oxy

Comparable Facts

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

Occidental College is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

HMC vs. Oxy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HMC or Oxy? 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 Oxy ($43,966 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 13.7% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($19,252 vs. $22,318).
• Harvey Mudd College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $2,339 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at HMC than at Occidental College (about $2,339 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Harvey Mudd College (75% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harvey Mudd College students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($46,199 vs. $36,400).

HMC vs. Oxy Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is 90 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming HMC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570; Occidental College 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 34/36; Occidental College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HMC - Test optional; Oxy - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HMC students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than HMC (12.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 17.8% at Oxy.

HMC vs. Oxy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HMC and Oxy? 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).

• Harvey Mudd College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Harvey Mudd College earn a median of about $28,300 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,900 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Occidental College graduates have a $1,888 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($23,652 vs. $25,540).
• Among borrowers, Oxy graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($244 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.