H
#4 Best Colleges in America

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

 4 Reviews

Overview

Enrollment

30,631
Harvard University overview
Location Cambridge, Massachusetts
Online harvard.edu
School Type Private 4 Year
Setting Midsize City
Harvard University overview
Size Large
Status Non-profit
On Campus Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Harvard University, founded in 1636 and located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an Ivy League research institution with a storied history as the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Its prestigious reputation is reflected in its highly selective admissions process. The urban campus, noted for colonial red brick architecture and historic landmarks such as the John Harvard Statue and Widener Library, is situated just outside of Boston, providing students with a rich blend of academic rigor and urban culture. Harvard's academic offerings are extensive, with notable programs in law, business, medicine, and political science. Harvard is also famed for its extensive library system, which is the largest academic library in the world. Residential life is a central aspect of Harvard's undergraduate experience, with the majority of students living on campus in one of the 12 residential houses. While the university is not primarily known for athletics, Harvard fields a variety of NCAA Division I sports teams known as the Crimson.

In the most recent statistical year 61,221 prospective students applied, and 1,984 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 1,646 enrolled in the school.  21,206 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 9,425 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $52,659 plus fees of $4,602. Harvard is ranked 4 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

Ratings

10/10

Overall

10/10

Academics

10/10

Resources

10/10

Outcomes

10/10

Value

Harvard is rated within the top 2% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated

Getting In

Admission Standards

Exceptional
Harvard University overview
SAT 1490/1580
ACT 34/36
GPA 4.0

Applications Accepted

3.2% 
Harvard University overview
Applications Due Jan 1, 2024
Applicant Competition Extreme
Application Fee $85

Explore admissions requirements

Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$52,659
Costs for Harvard University
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$900
Other Fees$4,602
Room and Board $19,502
Budget for Other Expenses$5,875
Total One Year Cost$83,538

Tuition and financial aid details

Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$136,700 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

97% within 6 years

Explore Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular subjects studied by Harvard University students
Subject Percent of Class
Social Sciences 32%
Biology 12%
Liberal Arts and Humanities 9%
History 9%
Mathematics 6%

View All 46 Majors

Other Colleges to Consider 

Students considering Harvard are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=166027 IPEDS survey data for Harvard University.

Current students may use the Harvard University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.