Engineering at Harvey Mudd College

Harvey Mudd graduates command impressive starting salaries—$92,491 is notably above the national median of $67,911. But here's the reality check: among California's 26 engineering programs, this lands in just the 60th percentile. UC Davis graduates, for instance, start at $82,956, and several other California engineering programs deliver comparable outcomes at substantially lower cost. The moderate debt load of $22,240 is actually higher than California's typical $15,000 for engineering degrees, though the strong earnings still keep the debt-to-income ratio healthy at 0.24.

The 12% earnings growth to $103,969 by year four is solid but unremarkable for engineering graduates. What makes this equation challenging is Harvey Mudd's selectivity and price point—this is one of the most competitive schools in the country (13% admission rate, 1537 average SAT). You're paying for an elite credential, but the financial returns don't dramatically separate from strong public universities in California.

The math works if your child is already admitted and financial aid brings the cost down significantly. For a full-pay family, however, you'd be paying a premium for outcomes that other excellent California engineering programs deliver at state school prices. The debt data here reflects moderate borrowing, but total cost of attendance tells a different story than what graduates owe.