UCSD vs. HMC

University of California San Diego and Harvey Mudd College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of California San Diego
Harvey Mudd College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: HMC (12.7% admitted vs 26.7%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1380.
  • Cheaper after aid: UCSD. Average net price is $14,047 vs $43,966 at HMC.
  • Graduation: UCSD 85% vs HMC 84%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UCSD $67,900 vs HMC $84,900 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

University of California San Diego Harvey Mudd College
Acceptance rate
HMC more selective
UCSD26.7%
HMC12.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
HMC higher
UCSD1270-1480
HMC1500-1570
Average net price
UCSD $29,919 less
UCSD$14,047
HMC$43,966
In-state tuition
UCSD $51,855 less
UCSD$16,758
HMC$68,613
Out-of-state tuition
UCSD $17,655 less
UCSD$50,958
HMC$68,613
Graduation rate
UCSD +1 pts
UCSD85%
HMC84%
Median earnings (10 years)
HMC +$17,000
UCSD$67,900
HMC$84,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at UCSD and HMC with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at UCSD Check my chances at HMC
  • Applied
  • UCSD 134,450
  • HMC 5,094
  • Admitted
  • UCSD 35,917
  • HMC 645
  • Acceptance rate
  • UCSD 26.7%
  • HMC 12.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UCSD 20.4%
  • HMC 35.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UCSD 1380
  • HMC 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • UCSD 31
  • HMC 35
  • Average high school GPA
  • UCSD 3.82
  • HMC 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • UCSD A-
  • HMC A
  • Admissions standards
  • UCSD Exceptional
  • HMC Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • UCSD High
  • HMC Very High
  • SAT range
  • UCSD 1270-1480
  • HMC 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • UCSD 28-34
  • HMC 34-36
  • Submit test scores
  • UCSD Test-free
  • HMC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UCSD Nov 30, 2026
  • HMC Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UCSD $16,758
  • HMC $68,613
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UCSD $50,958
  • HMC $68,613
  • Room & board
  • UCSD $18,970
  • HMC $22,318
  • Average net price
  • UCSD $14,047
  • HMC $43,966
  • Average grant aid
  • UCSD $25,757
  • HMC $46,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UCSD 59%
  • HMC 64%
  • Graduation rate
  • UCSD 85%
  • HMC 84%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UCSD $67,900
  • HMC $84,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • UCSD 82%
  • HMC -
  • Median student loan debt
  • UCSD $18,500
  • HMC $25,540
  • Median loan payment
  • UCSD $191
  • HMC $264
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UCSD 19:1
  • HMC 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • UCSD
    • Biology (23%)
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • HMC
    • Engineering (42%)
    • Physical Sciences (18%)
    • Mathematics (13%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
  • Location
  • UCSD La Jolla, CA
  • HMC Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • UCSD Large City
  • HMC Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • UCSD 44,256
  • HMC 951
  • Type
  • UCSD Public 4 Year
  • HMC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UCSD #87
  • HMC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of California San Diego is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 951 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Harvey Mudd College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; Harvey Mudd College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 15% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($18,970 vs. $22,318).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 34.6% higher at HMC than at University of California San Diego (about $17,655 more per year; $68,613 vs. $50,958).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at University of California San Diego (64% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvey Mudd College students is 79.4% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($46,199 vs. $25,757).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at HMC than at UCSD (35 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UCSD, test optional at HMC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; HMC Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at HMC average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at UCSD (3.82).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 35.8% at HMC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $7,040 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($18,500 vs. $25,540).
  • Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($191 vs. $264).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

University of California San Diego
Harvey Mudd College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges