California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs Harvey Mudd College: which has better ROI?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.