Aug 20, 2009 - Claremont, Calif. -

Harvey Mudd College (HMC) was named No. 1 among the nation’s undergraduate engineering programs in U.S.News & World Report’s 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges,” it was announced today. Moving up from the No. 2 spot in the 2009 edition of the “America’s Best Colleges” guide, HMC shares its top spot in engineering with Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind.

In addition to being No. 1 in engineering, HMC was again in the Top 20 of the nation’s liberal arts colleges, maintaining its ranking of 14th place among a pool of 126 top-rated colleges. In the Best Liberal Arts Colleges category, HMC ranked as “most selective,” with the highest percentage of freshmen who ranked in the top 10 percent in their high school class (95 percent), and had the highest SAT/ACT percentile range (25th-75th) among its incoming students. Ninety-four percent of incoming freshman had SAT Math scores in the 700-800 range.

HMC was included in the list of colleges and universities with “Programs to Look For”—those with “outstanding examples of academic programs that are commonly linked to student success”—in the category of undergraduate research and creative projects. HMC was also included on the list of liberal arts colleges with the highest proportion of classes with fewer than 20 students. High school guidance counselors ranked HMC No. 3 (among over 200 liberal arts colleges) for offering the best education to their students.

HMC was listed among “Great Schools, Great Prices,” for the percentage of need-based financial aid it offers among liberal arts colleges, and on the “Economic Diversity” list for its percentage of students who receive Pell Grants, a key measure of economic diversity on campus. HMC was also included on the list of best liberal arts colleges for “Average Amount of Need-Based Aid Awarded,” which recognizes colleges for the number of need-based financial aid packages awarded, including need-based grants and loans, and work study, as well as merit-based awards, which are based on academic talent. 

“This is a great honor that illustrates the excellence and importance of the college’s unique approach to engineering education,” said HMC President Maria Klawe. “Our focus on interdisciplinary teaching, research and professional practice provides a singular educational experience for our graduates, and prepares them to be well-rounded leaders in a wide variety of fields.”

“The credit for our top-rated program goes to the faculty and students who dedicate themselves to learning and the professional practice of engineering,” said Ziyad “Zee” Durón '81, chair of the Department of Engineering at HMC. “Our program builds on the foundation of the college’s common core, which truly helps prepare our students for success. Since its inception, Harvey Mudd College has been a leader in engineering education with strong undergraduate research and innovative programs like Clinic. We take pride in this top ranking and are grateful for the recognition that it brings.” 

“Such high rankings reflect the fact that HMC is a leader in revolutionizing STEM education at the undergraduate level,” said HMC Trustee Malcolm Lewis '67, president of Constructive Technologies Group, Inc. “This success is due to the extraordinary work of the entire college, since the HMC engineering education is built upon a strong grounding in science and mathematics, a deep immersion in the humanities, and an emphasis on collaborative approaches to problem-solving. I am truly proud to be both an alumnus and a trustee.” 

The full rankings of U.S. News & World Report’s 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” are published in the magazine’s current issue, on newsstands Thursday, Aug. 20, and are also available on-line at www.usnews.com/colleges.

# # #