HMC vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rice University is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Harvey Mudd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvey Mudd College 8:1; Rice University 6:1.

HMC vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HMC or Rice? 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 Rice University than HMC ($23,589 vs. $43,966).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 18.9% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($18,100 vs. $22,318).
• Harvey Mudd College is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $4,469 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at HMC than at Rice University (about $4,469 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at Rice University (64% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 21.6% larger than aid received by Harvey Mudd College students ($56,199 vs. $46,199).

HMC vs. Rice Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is the same as at Rice (1540).
• Incoming HMC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Rice).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 34/36; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HMC - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HMC students have the same average high school GPA (3.96) as students at Rice (3.96).
• HMC has a higher acceptance rate (12.7%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 44.2% at Rice.

HMC vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HMC and Rice? 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).

• Rice University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Harvey Mudd College's (84%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than HMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $84,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $15,313 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($10,227 vs. $25,540).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $159 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($105 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.