HMC vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Harvey Mudd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvey Mudd College 8:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

HMC vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HMC or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University than HMC ($14,704 vs. $43,966).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harvey Mudd College are 3.1% lower than at San Diego State University ($22,318 vs. $23,030).
• Harvey Mudd College is 686.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $59,885 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 221.7% higher at HMC than at San Diego State University (about $47,285 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at San Diego State University (64% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harvey Mudd College students is 283.3% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($46,199 vs. $12,053).

HMC vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HMC or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State and HMC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is 340 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming HMC students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 34/36; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HMC - Test optional; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman HMC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than HMC (12.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

HMC vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HMC and San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from Harvey Mudd College earn a median of about $31,500 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,900 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $10,191 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($15,349 vs. $25,540).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($158 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.