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Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Founded in 1636, Harvard University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from Boston, Harvard is renowned for its outstanding academic programs, esteemed faculty, and rich history. As a leading Ivy League institution, Harvard offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields including arts and sciences, engineering, business, law, medicine, education, and more.
Harvard University boasts an exceptional faculty composed of leading scholars, Nobel laureates, and prestigious researchers who are dedicated to providing an exceptional education to their students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, students have the opportunity to engage in intimate learning environments and form strong relationships with their professors. The university's commitment to academic excellence is evident in its rigorous curriculum, which encourages students to pursue intellectual exploration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Beyond academics, Harvard provides an enriching and vibrant campus life with numerous extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations catering to a wide range of interests. Students can participate in sports, arts, cultural events, or join one of the many student-run clubs on campus. Furthermore, the university's strong network of alumni includes prominent figures from all walks of life, offering students valuable connections and opportunities. Harvard's reputation, along with its esteemed faculty and extensive resources, truly make it a center of excellence and an institution that continues to shape the educational landscape both nationally and globally.
Harvard University is a private university located in Cambridge, MA and set in an urban environment. This school uses a semester-based calendar. Admissions is extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate of only 3%. The freshman retention rate at Harvard University is 99% and the six-year graduation rate is 98%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 1. The transfer application deadline is March 1.
Here are some recent data on important things to consider about Harvard University.
Quick Facts
7,110
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
3%
Acceptance Rate
$56,550
Tuition
7:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
98%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most relevant data you need to know about admission at Harvard University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,965 in 2024. Harvard University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, Harvard University offers an unmatched educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 52% and ACT scores 22%. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 99.44 and 0.56 between 24-29.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 4.2. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Harvard University.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 1.
3%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Harvard University was 99% in 2024, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 98%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school had an enrollment of 21,278 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 82% for that year. There was a total of 7,110 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 985 international students. The school admitted a total of 14 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 9,361 male and 10,820 female full-time students in 2024. This school had 2,411 full-time graduate male and 2,346 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,674, and the number of Afro-American students was 668. 826 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 544 identified with more than one race. The school also had 9 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 23 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 86 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some important facts on Harvard University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Harvard University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $56,550 in 2024. Harvard University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2024 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $5,126.
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $1,000 for books and supplies during their time at Harvard University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Harvard University was $21,190 in 2024. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2024 reached $12,922 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $12,922.
| Tuition | $ 56,550 |
| Room and Board | $ 21,190 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 78,740 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support for students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Harvard University.
According to the most recent data, 938 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students came to $67,990.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 3,855 students who obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Harvard University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 3,855. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $13,371,806, and state $706,920. The students of Harvard University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $235,406,052, and external in the amount of $5,280,412.
$6,000
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $13,371,806 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $5,603,942. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $110,469. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $6,219,809 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
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Undergraduate Fall
Undergraduate Fall
ApplyStart Year: 2025
Start Term: Fall
Application Deadline: 2025-03-01
Majors
Faculty
7:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2024, this ratio at Harvard University was 7:1. That means that there were 7 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 2,162 faculty members at this school. This number included 1,320 male and 842 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Harvard University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some info about students' life at Harvard University.
It has a campus size of 380 acres.
Student Organizations
Engaging with a variety of student organizations can enrich your educational experience and make it more rewarding.
This school has 447 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is Harvard/Radcliffe Chorus, followed by Harvard Crimson (newspaper) and International Relations Council. Other popular student organizations at this school are Asian-American Association and Phillips Brooks House Association.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Harvard University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Harvard University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Harvard University offers a number of services crucial for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Harvard University.
All in all, campus life at Harvard University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Harvard University.
Career Counselling
At Harvard University, there is both group career counseling for full-time students and individual career counseling for full-time students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for full-time students only. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
FAQ
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Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA.
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Harvard University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 56,550 USD per academic year for Harvard University.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Harvard University is 3%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Harvard University is 99%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.