Head-to-head comparison
Carnegie Mellon University vs. Harvey Mudd College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs CMU or Harvey Mudd harder to get into?
CMU is harder to get into than Harvey Mudd. CMU's 11.2% acceptance rate is lower than Harvey Mudd's 12.7%.
Which is cheaper, CMU or Harvey Mudd?
CMU costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, CMU's average net price is $31,944 vs $35,924 at Harvey Mudd.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Harvey Mudd graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $114,862 at CMU and $138,687 at Harvey Mudd.
Full Comparison
| Metric | CMU | Harvey Mudd |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 11.2% | 12.7% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1500–1560 | 1500–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–36 |
| Cost of attendance | $83,004 | $90,165 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $31,944 | $35,924 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,509 | 921 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 94.1% | 91.9% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $114,862 | $138,687 |
| Setting | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Claremont, California |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
CMU is modestly harder to get into. The 1.5-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Harvey Mudd graduates earn $23,825 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. CMU grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
CMU is substantially larger with 7,509 undergrads vs 921 at Harvey Mudd. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. CMU is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Harvey Mudd is in Claremont, California. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
CMU has a more international student body (19.1% non-resident students vs 11.0%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. CMU is 49.1% women, 19.1% international, and 34.5% Asian-American. Harvey Mudd is 50.7% women, 11.0% international, and 20.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | CMU | Harvey Mudd |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 49.1% | 50.7% |
| International | 19.1% | 11.0% |
| White | 21.6% | 24.4% |
| Asian | 34.5% | 20.2% |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 22.0% |
| Black | 4.0% | 5.2% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at CMU vs. Harvey Mudd?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick CMU if
- Net price matters: CMU costs $3,980 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the School of Computer Science
Pick Harvey Mudd if
- Your odds are realistic at Harvey Mudd (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($138,687 vs $114,862)
- the Common Core
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Carnegie Mellon University
11.2% accept · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Full profile
Harvey Mudd College
12.7% accept · Claremont, California
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.