Harvard University: 3.2% Acceptance Rate

3.2%Acceptance

$59,076Tuition

7,755Students

97%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$101,817Earnings

#4 in MassachusettsPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalResearch UniversityNCAA Division IStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Harvard University

Harvard holds the title as America's oldest university, founded in 1636, and boasts the largest endowment of any college. The private research university enrolls 7,755 students in Cambridge, a mid-sized city that pulses with academic energy. Harvard has produced more Supreme Court justices than any other institution and counts presidents like Barack Obama and John Adams among its graduates. Only 3.24% of applicants gain admission, making it one of the most selective universities in the world.

Despite a sticker price of $80,450, Harvard's generous financial aid means families earning under $75,000 pay virtually nothing. Students from families making less than $30,000 pay just $2,895 on average. Graduates earn a median of $101,817 ten years after graduation, while carrying only $14,000 in debt. The monthly loan payment averages just $148, making Harvard surprisingly affordable given the earning potential.

Students benefit from a 7:1 student-faculty ratio that ensures personal attention even at this research powerhouse. Nearly 98% of students return for their second year, and 97% graduate within four years. The Crimson compete in 36 varsity sports across the Ivy League, with over 1,000 student-athletes representing the university.

Academics & Faculty

Harvard operates as America's top research university, where undergraduate students work alongside faculty conducting groundbreaking research across every field imaginable. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship, contributing to a 97.3% six-year graduation rate that reflects the intense academic support students receive. Harvard's government and economics programs have produced eight U.S. presidents, while its pre-med track boasts one of the highest medical school acceptance rates in the country. The computer science department launched Facebook in a dorm room, and the business school practically invented the case study method. Students can cross-register at MIT, expanding their research opportunities even further in this intellectual powerhouse.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Full-Time Faculty: 87.1%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 97.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 97.3%
Retention Rate: 98.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $101,817
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral University (R1)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.	Certificate	$174,023
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Doctoral	$171,907
Law.	Doctoral	$165,340
Computer Engineering.	Master	$137,605
Computer Science.	Bachelor	$128,737
Statistics.	Bachelor	$128,716
Public Health.	Master	$117,916
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology.	Master	$106,421
Education, General.	Doctoral	$98,670
Public Administration.	Master	$97,071

View all 305 programs →

Campus Life

Harvard Yard buzzes with students rushing between red-brick buildings that date back centuries. Just across the Charles River from Boston, you're minutes from downtown by subway. Cambridge winters demand heavy coats and snow boots, while spring brings New England's signature blooming trees. With housing capacity for 14,344 students and total enrollment of 7,755, nearly all undergraduates live on campus in one of twelve residential houses.

The 7:1 student-faculty ratio means small seminars and close professor relationships are common. Weekends revolve around house activities, since Greek life doesn't exist here. Students flock to Harvard Stadium for football games against Yale or head into Boston's museums and neighborhoods. The infamous Harvard-Yale rivalry reaches fever pitch each November when "The Game" takes over campus. Study groups form in Widener Library's massive stacks. With 97.55% graduating in four years, academic pressure runs high, but traditions like freshman move-in day and housing day celebrations create tight community bonds that last well beyond graduation.

Setting: City-Midsize
Housing Capacity: 14,344 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1636

Campus Safety (2023)

396 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Motor Vehicle Theft	137	40	0	7
Aggravated Assault	11	6	0	48
Burglary	28	15	3	0
Rape	16	16	0	1
Robbery	2	1	0	26
Domestic Violence	2	2	0	8
Fondling	6	2	0	1
Arson	2	1	0	4
Dating Violence	4	3	0	0
Stalking	4	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 19°–37°F
July Avg: 64°–84°F
Annual Precipitation: 49.4"
Annual Snowfall: 49.2"

Student Demographics

Harvard draws the world's most competitive students, with only 3.24% gaining admission from a global applicant pool. The student body reflects this national reach, with 84% coming from outside Massachusetts. Women slightly outnumber men at 53%, a shift from the university's all-male origins until 1977. Asian and Asian American students comprise 22% of enrollment, while Black and Hispanic students represent 21% combined. Despite the $80,450 total cost, families earning under $75,000 pay virtually nothing thanks to Harvard's massive endowment. This creates an economically diverse environment where 16% receive Pell Grants alongside students from wealthy families.

Men: 46.9%
Women: 53.1%
White: 32.8%
Black: 9.3%
Hispanic: 11.8%
Asian: 22.5%
In-State Students: 16.1%
Pell Grant Recipients: 15.8%

Location

Harvard sits in Cambridge, Massachusetts, directly across the Charles River from Boston. The campus lies just three miles from downtown Boston, giving students easy access to one of America's most historic cities. Cambridge itself pulses with academic energy as home to both Harvard and MIT. The 7,755 students share the city with roughly 118,000 residents, creating an intensely intellectual atmosphere where Nobel laureates might grab coffee next to undergraduates. Harvard Square buzzes with bookstores, cafes, and street performers. The nearby Red Line subway connects students to Boston's museums, internships, and job opportunities within minutes. Students considering colleges in Massachusetts may also compare Harvard with similar schools in the region.

Address: Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $101,817
Median Earnings (5 years): $124,581
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $91,300
Loan Repayment Rate: 70.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $148/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $14,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Harvard University?

Harvard admits just 3.24% of applicants, making it one of the most selective universities in America. Admitted students typically score between 1490 and 1580 on the SAT, with an average of 1535.

How much does Harvard University cost after financial aid?

While Harvard's sticker price reaches $80,450 annually, the average net price drops to $16,816 thanks to generous aid. Families earning under $75,000 typically pay less than $3,000 per year, reflecting Harvard's commitment to making education affordable for all admitted students.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Harvard University?

Harvard maintains a 7:1 student-faculty ratio across its 7,755 undergraduate students. This intimate academic environment supports the university's reputation for producing leaders, including eight U.S. presidents and numerous Supreme Court justices.

How much do Harvard University graduates earn after graduation?

Harvard graduates earn a median of $101,817 ten years after graduation, above the national average. The university's 97.3% six-year graduation rate and strong alumni network contribute to strong career outcomes across fields from tech to public service.

Where is Harvard University located and what is campus life like?

Harvard sits in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a mid-sized city that pulses with intellectual energy from multiple universities. With housing for 14,344 students and a 98.6% retention rate, the campus creates a tight-knit community despite being America's oldest university, founded in 1636.

Does Harvard University offer athletic scholarships?

Harvard offers $0 in athletic scholarships, following Ivy League policy that prohibits athletic-based financial aid. The Crimson compete in 36 varsity sports with over 1,000 student-athletes, emphasizing academic excellence over athletic recruiting incentives.