Harvey Mudd Ranks No. 2 for Student Experience in Wall Street Journal

Harvey Mudd College was ranked No. 2 in the nation for best overall student experience in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025 college rankings.

The student experience ranking takes into account factors such as students’ sense of community, extracurricular activities, mental health support, opportunities to interact with students from diverse backgrounds, campus facilities, dining, housing, campus safety and more.

All five undergraduate Claremont colleges placed in the top 12 for student experience, with Scripps College at No. 1, Harvey Mudd at No. 2, Pomona College at No. 7, Claremont McKenna College at No. 10 and Pitzer College at No.12.

WSJ based the ranking on survey data from 50,000 students and recent alums at 500 colleges and universities nationwide. Colleges were scored based on student satisfaction with campus facilities, including those relating to food, housing and extracurricular activities (33%); community and social life, emotional and mental health support, sustainability and safety on campus (33%); and diversity of the student body (33%). 

Harvey Mudd takes a multifaceted approach to student experience that includes rich academic and co-curricular opportunities and resources. Faculty, staff and students work together so that all students can feel a sense of belonging and wellbeing in the community. Over the past decade, the College has significantly expanded staff, services and resources in the Division of Student Affairs so that students have many opportunities to develop personally and professionally.

In the WSJ/College Pulse 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, an overall ranking that includes both large research universities and liberal arts colleges combined, Harvey Mudd came in at No. 20.

View more information on the WSJ/College Pulse student experience ranking methodology and Best Colleges ranking methodology.