UC Berkeley vs. HMC

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Harvey Mudd College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Harvey Mudd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Harvey Mudd College 8:1.

UC Berkeley vs. HMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or HMC? 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 University of California Berkeley than HMC ($16,538 vs. $43,966).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harvey Mudd College are 6% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($22,318 vs. $23,750).
• Harvey Mudd College is 319.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $52,266 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.7% higher at HMC than at University of California Berkeley (about $18,066 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at University of California Berkeley (64% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harvey Mudd College students is 56% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($46,199 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. HMC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is 120 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming HMC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at UC Berkeley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Harvey Mudd College 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; HMC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; HMC Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HMC students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UC Berkeley (3.87).
• HMC has a higher acceptance rate (12.7%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 35.8% at HMC.

UC Berkeley vs. HMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and HMC? 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).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Harvey Mudd College's (84%).
• Graduates from Harvey Mudd College earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than UC Berkeley graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,900 vs. $74,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $11,340 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($14,200 vs. $25,540).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($146 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.