HMC vs. Amherst

Harvey Mudd College and Amherst College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Harvey Mudd College
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 12.7%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $43,966 at HMC.
  • Graduation: HMC 84% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: HMC $84,900 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

Harvey Mudd College Amherst College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
HMC12.7%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
HMC1500-1570
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
Amherst $24,917 less
HMC$43,966
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
HMC $1,867 less
HMC$68,613
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
HMC $1,867 less
HMC$68,613
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Amherst +12 pts
HMC84%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
HMC +$2,900
HMC$84,900
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • HMC 5,094
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • HMC 645
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • HMC 12.7%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • HMC 35.8%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • HMC 1540
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • HMC 35
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • HMC 3.96
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • HMC A
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • HMC Elite
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • HMC Very High
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • HMC 1500-1570
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • HMC 34-36
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • HMC Test optional
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • HMC Jan 5, 2027
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • HMC $68,613
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • HMC $68,613
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • HMC $22,318
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • HMC $43,966
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • HMC $46,199
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • HMC 64%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • HMC 84%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • HMC $84,900
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • HMC -
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • HMC $25,540
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • HMC $264
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • HMC 8:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • HMC
    • Engineering (42%)
    • Physical Sciences (18%)
    • Mathematics (13%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • HMC Claremont, CA
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • HMC Large Suburban
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • HMC 951
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • HMC Private 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • HMC
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Amherst College is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 951 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • Harvey Mudd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvey Mudd College 8:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 17.6% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($18,390 vs. $22,318).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Amherst than at Harvey Mudd College (about $1,867 more per year; $70,480 vs. $68,613).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at Amherst College (64% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 48.5% larger than aid received by Harvey Mudd College students ($68,591 vs. $46,199).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at HMC than at Amherst (35 vs. 34, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both HMC and Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at HMC average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Amherst (3.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $12,565 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($12,975 vs. $25,540).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($134 vs. $264).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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