Harvard vs. Stanford

Harvard University and Stanford University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Harvard University
Stanford University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Stanford (3.6% admitted vs 3.6%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1550.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harvard. Average net price is $17,525 vs $25,078 at Stanford.
  • Graduation: Harvard 97% vs Stanford 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Harvard $136,700 vs Stanford $122,900 (median).
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Key differences

Harvard University Stanford University
Acceptance rate
Stanford more selective
Harvard3.6%
Stanford3.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Harvard1510-1580
Stanford1510-1580
Average net price
Harvard $7,553 less
Harvard$17,525
Stanford$25,078
In-state tuition
Harvard $4,234 less
Harvard$61,676
Stanford$65,910
Out-of-state tuition
Harvard $4,234 less
Harvard$61,676
Stanford$65,910
Graduation rate
Harvard +1 pts
Harvard97%
Stanford96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$13,800
Harvard$136,700
Stanford$122,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Stanford 57,326
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Stanford 2,067
  • Acceptance rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Stanford 3.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Stanford 81.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • Stanford 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • Stanford 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Stanford 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Stanford A
  • Admissions standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • Stanford Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • Stanford Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • Stanford 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Stanford 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Stanford Required
  • Application deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Stanford Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Stanford $65,910
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Stanford $65,910
  • Room & board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Stanford $21,315
  • Average net price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Stanford $25,078
  • Average grant aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • Stanford $62,755
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • Stanford 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • Stanford 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Stanford $122,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • Stanford 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Stanford $12,475
  • Median loan payment
  • Harvard $67
  • Stanford $128
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Stanford 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Stanford
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • General Studies (16%)
    • Engineering (15%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (5%)
  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Stanford Stanford, CA
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Stanford Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Stanford 18,625
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • Stanford Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • Stanford #3

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvard University in Cambridge, MA with Stanford University in Stanford, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Harvard University is larger than Stanford based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 18,625 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvard University 7:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harvard University are 0.6% lower than at Stanford University ($21,190 vs. $21,315).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Stanford than at Harvard University (about $4,234 more per year; $65,910 vs. $61,676).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Harvard University (61% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Stanford University students ($68,015 vs. $62,755).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Harvard than at Stanford (35 vs. 34, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at both Harvard and Stanford.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Stanford (3.96).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $5,975 lower median loan debt than Stanford graduates ($6,500 vs. $12,475).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stanford graduates ($67 vs. $128).
  • More Stanford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 70%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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