Aug 17, 2006 - Claremont, Calif. -

U.S.News & World Report ranked Harvey Mudd College (HMC) number one among undergraduate engineering programs in the nation offering a bachelor's or master's degree in its 2007 edition of America's Best Colleges, it was announced today.

Additionally, HMC was ranked 14th among the nation's 203 liberal arts colleges on the 2007 list. The college is unique in earning such dual distinctions and was also included in the America's Best Colleges lists of "Great Schools, Great Prices," and "Programs to Look For," because of its undergraduate research and creative projects. HMC shares the top engineering program ranking with Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology of Terre Haute, Indiana, which was founded in 1874.

These distinctions capped a week of recognition of HMC's excellence that included its being named by Kaplan/Newsweek as one of the "New Ivies" and being featured on NBC's Today show.

"We are thrilled to see the college and our Department of Engineering garner this kind of well-deserved recognition," said HMC President Maria Klawe. "It is a reflection of the dedication of our faculty and the creative ways they have shaped our curriculum to meet the needs of today's world. Our liberal arts ranking is a testament to the vision of our founders, who 50 years ago insisted that we offer a strong foundation in the humanities and social sciences so that our graduates understand the impact of their work on society."

All students at Harvey Mudd College begin their instruction with a Common Core of courses that include biology, chemistry, computer science, humanities and social sciences, engineering, mathematics and physics. This rigorous introductory program creates well-rounded graduates who understand the intersections of these disciplines in research and practice.

Among its numerous awards and innovations, the HMC Department of Engineering began its renowned Clinic Program in 1963. The program, which now also involves the departments of computer science, mathematics and physics (often working on interdisciplinary projects), matches a company with a team of HMC students and a faculty advisor in solving a unique problem.

In exchange for the $41,000 fee paid to engage the team, companies retain all intellectual property rights that arise out of the project. In 2005, Clinic sponsors filed 13 patent disclosures at the end of their projects. Students are often named on the patents.

Since the program's inception, 1,155 Clinic projects have been completed at the college. Among the companies that have sponsored multiple projects are Northrop Grumman Corporation (75), Raytheon Company (65) and The Boeing Company (60).

Recognizing that the world is becoming increasingly "flat," the Department of Engineering began the Global Clinic Program last year through two projects in cooperation with the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez and corporate sponsors Hewlett-Packard and Amgen.

This summer, teams of students, faculty and company liaisons spent time at each institution, working on their respective projects and immersing themselves in the culture of the institution and the region. During the fall and spring semesters, student teams will be in weekly contact with each other via e-mail, video and teleconferencing, and multi-conferencing with the company liaison.

Founded in 1955, Harvey Mudd College is a member of the Claremont Colleges consortium. Slightly more than 700 HMC undergraduates work closely with more than 80 full-time faculty in earning the bachelor of science degree in the fields of biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics and interdisciplinary majors that cross these disciplines. An innovative Summer Research Program engages students in funded research each year. In 2006, 170 students and more than 50 faculty were engaged in projects on campus and throughout the U.S.

Highlights of the rankings will be published in the Aug. 28 edition of U.S.News & World Report magazine, available for newsstand purchase on Aug. 21 – the same day that the 2007 edition of America’s Best Colleges guidebook is available.