RPI Troy vs Harvey Mudd College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Harvey Mudd College (HMC) are two highly regarded institutions of higher learning, each offering a unique educational experience. RPI, located in Troy, New York, is a private research university with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). HMC, situated in Claremont, California, is a private liberal arts college known for its rigorous academic programs in science, engineering, and mathematics. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison will delve into these differences, providing prospective students with valuable insights to help them make informed decisions about their higher education journey.

	Harvey Mudd College	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Overview
Location	Claremont, California	Troy, New York
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	98.0%	89.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	10.0%	53.0%
Application fees	$70	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1480 - 1560	1360 - 1520
ACT range	34 - 36	32 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	40.0%	43.0%
Students submitting ACT score	20.0%	15.0%
Total number of applicants	4,737	17,498
Total number of admissions given out	473	9,277
Admitted students who chose to enroll	225	1,322
Yield rate	47.6%	14.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$82,236	$77,763
Average net price	$33,838	$40,070
Tuition	$60,402	$57,100
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,592 Meal plan: $8,741	Room/dormitory: $9,119 Meal plan: $7,260
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	63.0% Average amount $32,188	97.0% Average amount $35,754
Students receiving federal student loan	38.0% Average amount $4,821	52.0% Average amount $5,116
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $9,820	10.0% Average amount $24,172

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	905 Men 50.3% Women 49.7%	5,614 Men 69.0% Women 31.0%
Graduate students	N/A	1,160 Men 69.1% Women 30.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	8.5%	19.5%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	926	3,930
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Computer and Information Science Multidisciplinary Studies Physical Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Mathematics and Statistics Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	94.4%	84.2%
Dropout rate	0.5%	14.9%
Transferred out	4.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $118,973 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $166,134 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $123,339 Year 2: $142,581 Year 3: $159,657 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,948 Year 2: $81,997 Year 3: $90,517	Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,746 Year 2: $119,061 Year 3: $127,865 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,880 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $111,450 Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,042 Year 2: $88,933 Year 3: $99,954 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,265 Year 2: $87,973 Year 3: $94,503 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,333 Year 2: $79,284 Year 3: $93,665 Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $90,716 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,826 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $88,913 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,471 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: $85,953 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,066 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $84,973 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,458 Year 2: $77,213 Year 3: $84,039

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Harvey Mudd College?

RPI is renowned for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, and architecture, with a focus on technological innovation and research. Harvey Mudd College, on the other hand, emphasizes a broad, interdisciplinary approach to science, engineering, and mathematics, requiring all students to take a core curriculum that includes humanities, social sciences, and the arts, fostering well-rounded graduates.
How do the campus cultures differ between RPI and Harvey Mudd?

RPI has a more traditional university feel with a larger student body and a wider range of extracurricular activities, including a significant Greek life presence. Harvey Mudd boasts a close-knit, collaborative community with a strong emphasis on student interaction and a supportive environment. The culture at Harvey Mudd is known for its emphasis on collaboration over competition.
What is the size of the student body at each institution?

RPI has a significantly larger student body, with several thousand undergraduates, providing a more diverse social environment. Harvey Mudd is much smaller, with a few hundred undergraduates, fostering a more intimate learning environment and closer relationships between students and faculty.
How does the curriculum structure compare between the two colleges?

RPI's curriculum is more specialized from the start, allowing students to delve deeply into their chosen fields early in their academic careers. Harvey Mudd's curriculum is highly structured, with a rigorous core curriculum that all students must complete, ensuring a strong foundation in multiple disciplines before specializing.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of RPI and Harvey Mudd?

Both institutions have excellent career prospects. RPI graduates are highly sought after in engineering, technology, and architecture, often finding employment in established companies and research institutions. Harvey Mudd graduates are also highly recruited, particularly in STEM fields, and are known for their problem-solving skills and adaptability, making them attractive to a wide range of employers, including tech companies, research labs, and graduate programs.
How does research opportunities differ at RPI and Harvey Mudd?

RPI offers extensive research opportunities, particularly in engineering and technology, with numerous research centers and labs. Students have ample chances to participate in cutting-edge research. Harvey Mudd also provides significant research opportunities, often involving close collaboration with faculty, and emphasizes undergraduate research experiences.
What is the cost of attendance at RPI and Harvey Mudd?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is comparable at both institutions. However, financial aid packages and scholarships can significantly impact the net cost. It's recommended to check the financial aid websites of both colleges for the most up-to-date information and to estimate your individual costs.
What are the strengths of RPI?

RPI's strengths include its strong engineering and technology programs, extensive research opportunities, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and a well-established alumni network.
What are the strengths of Harvey Mudd College?

Harvey Mudd's strengths lie in its rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum, its close-knit community, its emphasis on collaboration, and its focus on developing well-rounded individuals with strong problem-solving skills.
Which college is better for a student who is unsure of their major?

Harvey Mudd College's core curriculum and emphasis on interdisciplinary studies make it a good choice for students who are unsure of their major, as it provides a broad foundation in various fields. RPI, with its more specialized programs, might be better suited for students who already have a clear idea of their academic interests.
How do the locations of RPI and Harvey Mudd differ?

RPI is located in Troy, New York, a city with a rich history and access to the cultural and recreational opportunities of the Capital Region. Harvey Mudd is situated in Claremont, California, part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, offering a suburban environment with access to the resources of the other colleges and proximity to Los Angeles.
What is the social life like at RPI and Harvey Mudd?

RPI offers a more traditional college social life, with a larger student body, Greek life, and a wider variety of social events. Harvey Mudd's social life is more centered around the campus community, with a focus on collaborative activities, student-run events, and close interaction among students and faculty.

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