College Comparison
UC Santa Barbara vs Harvey Mudd College: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more — updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
UC Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
School
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | UC Santa Barbara | Harvey Mudd |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 27.8% | 13.1%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | 1480–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | 34–36 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $45,742wins | $66,255 |
| Avg Net Price | $13,825wins | $32,492 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $74,915 | $138,687wins |
| Graduation Rate | 85.3% | 93.8%wins |
| Retention Rate | 91.9% | 96.6%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 23,205wins | 915 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Harvey Mudd edges out UC Santa Barbara on 6 of 9 measurable categories — including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.
UC Santa Barbara Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,742
- ✓Avg Net Price: $13,825
- ✓Total Enrollment: 23,205
Harvey Mudd Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 13.1%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1480–1560
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $138,687
- ✓Graduation Rate: 93.8%
Want a deeper comparison?
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