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Harvard University

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA · City · 7,601 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Restrictive Early Action · in 30 days
Checked Sep 2026 · college.harvard.edu
$19,066
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
97%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$101,817
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
4%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the nation’s oldest institution of higher education, world-renowned for its academic prestige, immense resources, and influential global alumni network. The university excels across all disciplines, boasting exceptional undergraduate programs in economics, government, computer science, and biomedical research, complemented by world-leading graduate divisions like Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School. Student life is defined by an ambitious, intellectually driven culture centered around a historic residential "House" system that fosters tight-knit micro-communities for upperclassmen. Harvard is uniquely distinguished by housing the largest academic library system in the world and maintaining a massive endowment that powers a 100% need-blind, full-need financial aid program for all admitted students.

Wikipedia:Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636, and named Harvard College in 1639 in honor of its first benefactor, Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Its influence, wealth, and rankings have made it one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Location
Cambridge, MA, 02138 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BOS · Boston
6 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$61,676
Housing & food (on campus)$21,190
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$100,134
Average net price$19,066
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$61,676
Housing & food (on campus)$21,190
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$100,134
Average net price$19,066
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: college.harvard.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Harvard University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$62,226
Fees$6,216
Housing$14,250
Food$8,942
Books & supplies$1,000
Personal expenses$2,500
Total published by the school$100,134
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$8,697
$30–48k
$2,991
$48–75k
$2,091
$75–110k
$9,941
$110k+
$53,337
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$4,728
Share of first-years who get oneunder 1%
Source: Harvard University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
97%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
56%
Back for yr 2
98%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
98% graduated · 1% left or unknown · none transferred or still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$99,572
10 yrs after entry$101,817
Debt
Median at graduation$14,000
Monthly payment$148
Middle 50% owe$4.4k–$16.1k
90th percentile$29,889
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
4%
Test policy
Required
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1553
R 740–780 · M 770–800
ACT midpoint
35
Comp 34–36 · E 35–36 · M 32–36
SAT middle 50%: 1510–1580
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Restrictive Early Action
Nov 1 2026
in 30 days
Not binding, but it limits where else you can apply early. Check the school’s rules.
Checked Sep 2026 · college.harvard.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Harvard University: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Harvard University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
From Harvard University (college.harvard.edu) · The page doesn't state a year · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a student body with a diversity of perspectives and experiences. How will the life experiences that shaped who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
    150 words max
  • Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience?
    150 words max
  • Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.
    150 words max
  • How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
    150 words max
  • Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.
    150 words max

Quoted from Harvard University's own page; answered in the Common Application. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 46%Women 54%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
7 : 1
Pell grant
16%
First-gen
26%
Family income
$33,066
Independent
27%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
6%
Race & ethnicity
White
31%
Hispanic
12%
Black
9%
Asian
22%
Two or more
7%
Non-resident
15%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Fencing
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Sailing
    Men's · Women's
  • Skiing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Squash
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's · Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$99,572
After 10 yrs
$101,817
Economics258
Social Sciences, General189
Computer Science183
Political Science and Government164
History161
Applied Mathematics120
Research and Experimental Psychology101
Neurobiology and Neurosciences100
Chemistry76
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences75
Mathematics61
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology60
Statistics52
Physics51
Engineering Science43
English Language and Literature, General38
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$53.2B
Full-time faculty
87%
Faculty salary
$25,048/mo
Teaching spend
$51,780
per student
Federal loans
4%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$1.5B research spending · 754 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Harvard University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search