Economics at Harvey Mudd College

Given Harvey Mudd's 13% admission rate and 1537 average SAT score, the estimated $51,000 first-year earnings figure—derived from California's median across 35 economics programs—deserves scrutiny. Harvey Mudd is an elite institution, yet peer schools with comparable selectivity report dramatically different outcomes: Stanford's economics graduates earn $98,000, while neighboring Claremont McKenna (part of the same consortium) reports $89,500. The estimated figure places Harvey Mudd at the state median, which seems improbable for a school this selective.

The $21,500 estimated debt burden is manageable relative to earnings, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42. However, this calculation assumes the median earnings estimate is accurate. If Harvey Mudd's actual outcomes resemble those of comparable institutions—and they likely do—graduates are probably earning $70,000-$90,000 or more, making this debt level even less concerning. The challenge is that with suppressed data, you're essentially investing based on the school's reputation rather than verified program-specific results.

For a family considering Harvey Mudd, the institution's selectivity and STEM focus suggest outcomes almost certainly exceed these statewide medians. But without actual data, you're making an informed bet rather than a data-driven decision. If your child has admission offers from schools with reported outcomes in this field—particularly other Claremont Colleges—compare those verified figures directly before committing.