HMC vs. Swarthmore

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

Harvey Mudd College
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 12.7%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $43,966 at HMC.
  • Graduation: HMC 84% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: HMC $84,900 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Harvey Mudd College Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
HMC12.7%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
HMC higher
HMC1500-1570
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Swarthmore $21,497 less
HMC$43,966
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Swarthmore $3,119 less
HMC$68,613
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Swarthmore $3,119 less
HMC$68,613
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +11 pts
HMC84%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
HMC +$19,100
HMC$84,900
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • HMC 5,094
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • HMC 645
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • HMC 12.7%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • HMC 35.8%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • HMC 1540
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • HMC 35
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • HMC 3.96
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • HMC A
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • HMC Elite
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • HMC Very High
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • HMC 1500-1570
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • HMC 34-36
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • HMC Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • HMC Jan 5, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • HMC $68,613
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • HMC $68,613
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • HMC $22,318
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • HMC $43,966
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • HMC $46,199
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • HMC 64%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • HMC 84%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • HMC $84,900
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • HMC -
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • HMC $25,540
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • HMC $264
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • HMC 8:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • HMC
    • Engineering (42%)
    • Physical Sciences (18%)
    • Mathematics (13%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • HMC Claremont, CA
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • HMC Large Suburban
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • HMC 951
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • HMC Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • HMC
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Swarthmore College is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 951 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Harvey Mudd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvey Mudd College 8:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 9% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($20,308 vs. $22,318).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at HMC than at Swarthmore College (about $3,119 more per year; $68,613 vs. $65,494).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at Swarthmore College (64% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 33.4% larger than aid received by Harvey Mudd College students ($61,634 vs. $46,199).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at HMC than at Swarthmore (35 vs. 34, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both HMC and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at HMC average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Swarthmore (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $6,040 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,540).
  • Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($201 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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