HMC vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• Harvey Mudd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvey Mudd College 8:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

HMC vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HMC or San Jose 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 Jose State University than HMC ($13,892 vs. $43,966).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose State University are 6% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($20,971 vs. $22,318).
• Harvey Mudd College is 715.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $60,203 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 226.6% higher at HMC than at San Jose State University (about $47,603 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at San Jose State University (64% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harvey Mudd College students is 274% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($46,199 vs. $12,353).

HMC vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is 410 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming HMC students have a 13 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 34/36; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HMC - Test optional; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman HMC students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than HMC (12.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

HMC vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HMC and San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from Harvey Mudd College earn a median of about $25,000 more per year than San Jose State graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,900 vs. $59,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $10,540 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,540).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($155 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.