Head-to-head comparison
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs Harvey Mudd College: which has better ROI?
Option A San Luis Obispo, CA
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Net price / year
- $16,665
- Earnings, 10 years
- $90,768
- Payback
- 1.6 yrs
Option B Claremont, CA
Harvey Mudd College
- Net price / year
- $35,924
- Earnings, 10 years
- $138,687
- Payback
- 1.6 yrs
Harvey Mudd College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $143,696 in 1.6 years versus 1.6 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, on median earnings of $138,687 vs $90,768 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | Harvey Mudd College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,665 | $35,924 |
| Total net cost | $66,660 | $143,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $90,768 | $138,687 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $781,500 | $1,662,844 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Harvey Mudd College?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, at $16,665 a year after aid versus $35,924 — a gap of $19,259 a year, or $77,036 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Harvey Mudd College graduates earn more?
Harvey Mudd College graduates report a median $138,687 ten years after entry, $47,919 more than the $90,768 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Harvey Mudd College?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Harvey Mudd College, a difference of $6,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
92% of students finish at Harvey Mudd College, against 86% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.