Harvey Mudd College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college's most recent self-study was completed in 1999, and included a team visit to the campus in November 1999. In January 2000, the Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities granted HMC renewed accreditation for 10 years. In its final report, WASC wrote: “Harvey Mudd [College] is characterized by excellence and success, and is widely regarded as among the nation’s best undergraduate science and engineering colleges.”

The college’s program in engineering (one of the few general engineering programs in the country) is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. HMC's Department of Engineering submitted its 2009 self-study to ABET in July 2009, and will host a site visit in October 2009.

The program in chemistry meets the requirements of the American Chemical Society, making chemistry graduates eligible for membership in the Society immediately upon graduation.

To support accreditation efforts and sustain the excellence of its programs, HMC also engages in rigorous program reviews (on a seven-year cycle) of all academic departments, including assessment by outside peer-review teams.