Overview
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States and a member of the Ivy League. Harvard is known for its prestigious academic programs, extensive library system, and influential alumni network. Notable alumni include Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, and Natalie Portman.
There are currently 7,755 undergraduates at Harvard and the school’s acceptance rate is 3%. The tuition at Harvard is $59,076.
University
City
Need Blind
SupplementalEssay
100% Need
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$86,705
$69,889
$16,816
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$86,705The sticker price at Harvard is $86,705. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Harvard would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Harvard University Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Harvard you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Harvard is 002155 and the CSS Profile Code is 3434.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at Harvard
Massachusetts residents who are considering Harvard should be sure to look into state grants to help fund your education. Massachusetts has a wide variety of programs, including the need-based tuition waiver program, the MASSGrant, the Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program, and MCAS Scholarships. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which is for students who performed well on the MCAS, offers a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of public school.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Massachusetts scholarshipsHarvard University’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Harvard meets 100% of admitted students’ financial need. Using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, they calculate your need and offer a combination of scholarships and federal loans to cover any costs you and your family cannot pay.
No Loan Policy at Harvard
Harvard is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Harvard's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
Pell Grants at Harvard University
20% of students at Harvard University receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Harvard. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Harvard University Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Harvard, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid
- Phone: 617-495-1581
Admissions
3%
35
1528
1528 is the median SAT score and 35 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Harvard. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Coalition Colleges
Harvard is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Harvard via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Harvard have a supplemental essay?
Yes, Harvard University includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Harvard's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Harvard Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Harvard test-optional?
Harvard University is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
What test scores do you need to get into Harvard University?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, or CLT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Harvard University receive between a 34 and a 36 on their ACT, or a 1485 and a 1585 on their SAT.
Regular Decision
Early Action
What is the application deadline at Harvard?
Students must apply by January 1 to enroll at Harvard during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Harvard, remember that the deadline is November 1.
Is Harvard University need-blind?
Yes, Harvard University has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
7:1
Graduation Rate
97%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
32%
32% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
12%
12% of graduates
Mathematics
10%
10% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
9%
9% of graduates
History
8%
8% of graduates
Physical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Psychology
5%
5% of graduates
Engineering
4%
4% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
2%
2% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
2%
2% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
7,755
Undergrad Students Over 25 17%
Pell Grant 16%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 7%
Percent Male / Female 47% / 53%
Ethnic Diversity at Harvard
33% White
22% Asian / Pacific Islander
14% International / Non-Citizen
12% Hispanic
9% Black
7% Multiracial
2% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$101,817
Median Debt $14,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $148
Graduation Rate 97%
What is the graduation rate at Harvard University?
97% of students who start at Harvard University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 39% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Harvard University go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Harvard University is $101,817. This is $51,426 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Harvard University who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Harvard take out in loans?
Graduates of Harvard take out a median of $14,000 in federal student loans. This is $500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Harvard University and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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