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College Comparison

UC San Diego 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 San Diego

La Jolla, CA

School

Harvey Mudd College

Claremont, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUC San DiegoHarvey Mudd
Acceptance Rate24.5%13.1%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)N/A1480–1560wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)N/A34–36
Tuition (Out-of-State)$46,042wins$66,255
Avg Net Price$11,750wins$32,492
Median Earnings (10 yr)$84,943$138,687wins
Graduation Rate87.6%93.8%wins
Retention Rate93.9%96.6%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio19:18:1wins
Total Enrollment33,787wins915

Verdict

Based on the data above, Harvey Mudd edges out UC San Diego 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 San Diego Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $46,042
  • Avg Net Price: $11,750
  • Total Enrollment: 33,787

Harvey Mudd Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 13.1%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1480–1560
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $138,687
  • Graduation Rate: 93.8%

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