HMC vs. Rice

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

Harvey Mudd College
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rice (8% admitted vs 12.7%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $43,966 at HMC.
  • Graduation: HMC 84% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: HMC $84,900 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Harvey Mudd College Rice University
Acceptance rate
Rice more selective
HMC12.7%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
HMC1500-1570
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Rice $20,377 less
HMC$43,966
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $4,469 less
HMC$68,613
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $4,469 less
HMC$68,613
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Rice +8 pts
HMC84%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rice +$1,500
HMC$84,900
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • HMC 5,094
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • HMC 645
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • HMC 12.7%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • HMC 35.8%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • HMC 1540
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • HMC 35
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • HMC 3.96
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • HMC A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • HMC Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • HMC Very High
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • HMC 1500-1570
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • HMC 34-36
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • HMC Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • HMC Jan 5, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • HMC $68,613
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • HMC $68,613
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • HMC $22,318
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • HMC $43,966
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • HMC $46,199
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • HMC 64%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • HMC 84%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • HMC $84,900
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • HMC -
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • HMC $25,540
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • HMC $264
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • HMC 8:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • HMC
    • Engineering (42%)
    • Physical Sciences (18%)
    • Mathematics (13%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • HMC Claremont, CA
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • HMC Large Suburban
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • HMC 951
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • HMC Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • HMC
  • Rice #9

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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at HMC than at Rice University (about $4,469 more per year; $68,613 vs. $64,144).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at HMC than at Rice (35 vs. 34, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both HMC and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman HMC students have the same average high school GPA (3.96) as students at Rice (3.96).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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