Head-to-head comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology vs. Harvey Mudd College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Georgia Tech or Harvey Mudd harder to get into?
Harvey Mudd is harder to get into than Georgia Tech. Harvey Mudd's 12.7% acceptance rate is lower than Georgia Tech's 14.1%.
Which is cheaper, Georgia Tech or Harvey Mudd?
Georgia Tech costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Georgia Tech's average net price is $12,116 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 $102,772 at Georgia Tech and $138,687 at Harvey Mudd.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Georgia Tech | Harvey Mudd |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 14.1% | 12.7% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1370–1540 | 1500–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 30–34 | 34–36 |
| Cost of attendance | $28,167 | $90,165 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $12,116 | $35,924 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 18,785 | 921 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 94.0% | 91.9% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $102,772 | $138,687 |
| Setting | Atlanta, Georgia | Claremont, California |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Harvey Mudd is modestly harder to get into. The 1.4-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 draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1570 vs 1540 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Georgia Tech is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $23,808 per year, $95,232 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Harvey Mudd graduates earn $35,915 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. Georgia Tech grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Georgia Tech is substantially larger with 18,785 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. Georgia Tech is in Atlanta, Georgia; 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.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Georgia Tech is 40.4% women, 8.0% international, and 34.6% Asian-American. Harvey Mudd is 50.7% women, 11.0% international, and 20.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Georgia Tech | Harvey Mudd |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 40.4% | 50.7% |
| International | 8.0% | 11.0% |
| White | 34.7% | 24.4% |
| Asian | 34.6% | 20.2% |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 22.0% |
| Black | 8.3% | 5.2% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Georgia Tech vs. Harvey Mudd?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Georgia Tech if
- Your odds are realistic at Georgia Tech (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Georgia Tech costs $23,808 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its cooperative education program
Pick Harvey Mudd if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($138,687 vs $102,772)
- 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
Georgia Institute of Technology
14.1% accept · Atlanta, Georgia
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.