Harvard University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Harvard University (Harvard) is a highly selective private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, serving roughly 7,601 students. Admission is highly selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 3.65% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $101,817 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $61,676
- 2024 Average Net Price: $19,066 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 3.65% Highly Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 7,601 93.6% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 97.58%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 25.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 13.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 86.8%
- Average SAT Score: 1553
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 11,899
- Applicants (IPEDS): 56,937
- Room & Board: $21,190 annual estimate
Harvard University: what the data shows
Common questions about Harvard University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Harvard University?
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA (ZIP 02138).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Harvard University public or private?
Harvard University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Harvard University cost?
Published tuition: $61,676.
Average net price after aid: $19,066.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $8,697 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $2,991 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $2,091 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $9,941 |
| $110,001+ | $53,337 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $246,704.
How hard is it to get into Harvard University?
Admission rate: 3.65%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1553 and midpoint ACT 35.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Harvard University?
Total enrollment: 7,601 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 11,899 students.
Graduate enrollment: 21,415 students.
About 94% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Harvard University?
150%-time completion rate: 97.58%.
First-year retention: 98.3%.
What do graduates of Harvard University earn?
Median earnings: $99,572 six years after entry; $101,817 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $14,000.
16.43% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Harvard University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other (1,023 completions)
- Law (622 completions)
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (423 completions)
- Sustainability Studies (379 completions)
- Public Health, General (356 completions)
- Learning Sciences (293 completions)
- Computer Science (290 completions)
- Educational Evaluation and Research (288 completions)
- Public Administration (263 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (250 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Harvard University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 3.65%; completion rate 97.58%; median earnings $101,817 at 10 years; net price $19,066. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$61,676
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Harvard University was $61,676.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$19,066
2024 Value
In 2024 Harvard University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $19,066.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$76,264 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$19,066 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$246,704 4-Year Tuition
$21,190 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,000 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$83,866 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$335,464 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Harvard University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
16.43% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
4.44% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Harvard University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Harvard University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $42,292 | $42,292 | $14,049 |
| 2014 | $43,938 | $43,938 | $14,068 |
| 2015 | $45,278 | $45,278 | $17,882 |
| 2016 | $47,074 | $47,074 | $14,981 |
| 2017 | $48,949 | $48,949 | $14,327 |
| 2018 | $50,420 | $50,420 | $15,561 |
| 2019 | $51,925 | $51,925 | $15,386 |
| 2020 | $54,002 | $54,002 | $13,872 |
| 2021 | $55,587 | $55,587 | $13,259 |
| 2022 | $57,261 | $57,261 | $19,500 |
| 2023 | $59,076 | $59,076 | $16,816 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
3.65% Acceptance Rate
56,937 Total Applicants
1,965 Students Admitted
1,645 First-Time Students Enrolled
83.72% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is extremely selective, accepting fewer than 1 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1553
ACT Average: 35
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.9 - 4.0
Estimated Median GPA: 4.00
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Harvard University reported total enrollment of about 7,601 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 46% male and 54% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (30.9%), Asian (22.4%), and Non-Resident Alien (14.6%). About 16.43% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 25.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
93.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Harvard University in 2024 is 7,601 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 11,899 students. Graduate enrollment is about 21,415 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
98.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 30.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
55.66% 100% Completion Time
97.58% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 55.66% of students graduating from Harvard University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other: 53% male / 47% female
- Law: 45% male / 55% female
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 60% male / 40% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Harvard University.
Return on Investment
$14,000 Median Student Debt
$101,817 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
13.75% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1235.06% Return on Investment
1.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Harvard University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 175 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other: 1,023 completions
2. Law: 622 completions
3. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 423 completions
4. Sustainability Studies: 379 completions
5. Public Health, General: 356 completions
6. Learning Sciences: 293 completions
7. Computer Science: 290 completions
8. Educational Evaluation and Research: 288 completions
9. Public Administration: 263 completions
Most popular programs at Harvard University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Harvard University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Harvard University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 86.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $25,048
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $51,780
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Harvard University is a private non-profit institution located in Cambridge, MA, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other, Law, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. Enrollment is approximately 7,601 students. Student body composition includes White (30.9%), Asian (22.4%), Non-Resident Alien (14.6%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 3.65%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1553. The 150%-time completion rate is 97.58%. Approximately 16.43% of students receive Pell Grants. About 25.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Cambridge, MA 02138
Region: New England
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 97.58% graduation rate, Harvard University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Harvard University graduates report median earnings of $101,817 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 175 distinct degree programs, Harvard University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Harvard located?
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA. The institution is also known as Harvard.
What is Harvard's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Harvard University (Harvard) is 3.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 56,937 applicants and 1,965 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Harvard cost?
Reported tuition is $61,676 and average net price is $19,066 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $21,190 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Harvard?
Harvard University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 11,899 students, White (30.9%), Asian (22.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Harvard?
About 25.7% of students at Harvard University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Harvard University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Harvard University reports midpoint SAT about 1553 and midpoint ACT about 35.
What do graduates of Harvard University earn?
Median earnings are $99,572 six years after entry and $101,817 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Harvard University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 97.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Harvard University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $14,000.
Is Harvard University public or private?
Harvard University is a private nonprofit institution located in Cambridge, MA.
Is Harvard University an HBCU?
No. Harvard University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Harvard University a tribal college?
No. Harvard University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Massachusetts college costs
- Massachusetts colleges by ROI
- Cambridge, Massachusetts city profile
- New England regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Massachusetts
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.