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Harvard University

#3 Worldwide🇺🇸 Cambridge, MA, United States

Tuition

$56,550

Acceptance

3.4%

Students

23,000

About Harvard University

The oldest university in the United States and a byword for academic prestige. Harvard combines a vast endowment, elite faculty, and an unrivaled alumni network across every field.

Ivy LeagueResearchPrivatePrestige

Why Students Choose Harvard University

  • Ranked #3 worldwide — globally recognized academic prestige.
  • Highly competitive admissions mean a tightly selected, high-achieving peer group.
  • Generous aid — 55% of students receive financial support.
  • Small average class size (12 students) for close faculty access.
  • A large campus with broad program variety and a vibrant student scene.
  • An active, well-funded research culture.

Selectivity

Acceptance Rate3.4%
Students on Aid55%

More selective than ~96% and ranked better than ~99% of the 253 schools in our directory.

At a Glance

Quick Stats

Student Pop.

23,000

Faculty Ratio

7:1

Avg. Class Size

12

Financial Aid

55%

Ready to start?

Save this school, track your application, or request full requirements by email.

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Verified Aid Policy

Need-blind for internationalMeets full demonstrated need

Harvard's international applicants page states admissions decisions are made without regard to whether an applicant has applied for financial assistance, and 'International students are eligible for exactly the same aid as American students.' Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

Source

English Test Policy

Verified

Harvard does not require an English proficiency exam at all for first-year or transfer applicants — TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo cannot even be used to satisfy the standardized-testing requirement, though you may submit one for the admissions committee to review if you wish.

TOEFLIELTSDuolingo English Test
Source

Similar Universities

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

🇺🇸 United States · #1

Stanford University

🇺🇸 United States · #5

California Institute of Technology

🇺🇸 United States · #10

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Harvard University?

Harvard University admits approximately 3.4% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.

How much does Harvard University cost per year?

Tuition is approximately 56,550 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.

Does Harvard University offer scholarships or financial aid?

Yes — Harvard University offers Harvard Financial Aid, Need-based Grants, and about 55% of students receive some form of financial aid.

When is the application deadline for Harvard University?

The application deadline is Jan 01. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.

What can I study at Harvard University?

Harvard University offers 5 broad fields of study: Medicine, Law, Business, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences.

How big are classes at Harvard University?

The average class size is 12 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, across a large campus of about 23,000 students.

Harvard University

🇺🇸 Cambridge, MA, United States · USA

#3

Global Ranking

Detailed admissions profile compiled by UniPath on July 17, 2026. Figures are directory estimates intended for planning purposes — always confirm exact requirements and costs with the official admissions office at https://www.harvard.edu.

At a Glance

Established1636
Student Population23,000
Faculty Ratio7:1
Average Class Size12
Acceptance Rate3.4%
Annual Tuition$56,550
Financial Aid Recipients55%
Application DeadlineJan 01
Websitehttps://www.harvard.edu

About Harvard University

The oldest university in the United States and a byword for academic prestige. Harvard combines a vast endowment, elite faculty, and an unrivaled alumni network across every field.

Tags: Ivy League · Research · Private · Prestige

Why Students Choose Harvard University

  • Ranked #3 worldwide — globally recognized academic prestige.
  • Highly competitive admissions mean a tightly selected, high-achieving peer group.
  • Generous aid — 55% of students receive financial support.
  • Small average class size (12 students) for close faculty access.
  • A large campus with broad program variety and a vibrant student scene.
  • An active, well-funded research culture.

Admissions — Highly Selective

With only 3.4% of applicants admitted, every part of the application needs to be deliberate — academics, essays, and activities all carry weight.

This school is more selective than approximately 96% of schools in our directory, ranks better than 99% of them, and is more affordable than 15% (out of 253 schools compared).

Typical requirements:

  • Completed online application
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) for non-native speakers
  • 3 letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors
  • Personal statement plus 2+ supplemental essays
  • Standardized test scores (optional at many schools, but top-decile scores strengthen the file)
  • Demonstrated depth in 1-2 extracurriculars rather than breadth across many

Test-optional, but admitted students who submit scores typically land in the 90th percentile or above.

Cost of Attendance (Estimated, per year)

Tuition$56,550
Housing & Living$19,793
Books & Supplies$2,262
Personal Expenses$4,524
Total Cost of Attendance$83,129
Est. Average Grant / Aid- $18,662
Est. Net Price$37,888
4-Year Total (before aid)$332,516

Estimates for international students; actual aid varies by applicant profile.

Scholarships

  • Harvard Financial Aid
  • Need-based Grants

Majors & Career Outcomes

Medicine — $80,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Physician, Surgeon, Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacist

Law — $75,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Attorney, Corporate Counsel, Judge, Policy Advisor

Business — $65,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Financial Analyst, Marketing Manager, Management Consultant, Entrepreneur

Social Sciences — $54,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Policy Analyst, Economist, Counselor, HR Specialist

Natural Sciences — $58,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Research Scientist, Lab Manager, Biotech Specialist, Environmental Consultant

Campus Life

Historic Cambridge campus with a rich house system, 450+ organizations, and Division I athletics.

Suggested Application Timeline

  • 12+ weeks before: Request transcripts and letters of recommendation; start drafting your personal statement.
  • 8 weeks before: Finalize essays, gather standardized test scores, and complete the online application form.
  • 4 weeks before: Submit early — leave buffer time for technical issues or late-arriving documents.
  • Jan 01 — deadline: Hard deadline. All materials must be received by the admissions office.
  • After submitting: Track your applicant portal and respond promptly to any requests for more information.

Similar Universities to Consider

SchoolRankTuitionAcceptance
Massachusetts Institute of Technology#1$57,5904%
Stanford University#5$58,4163.9%
California Institute of Technology#10$60,8643%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Harvard University?

Harvard University admits approximately 3.4% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.

How much does Harvard University cost per year?

Tuition is approximately 56,550 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.

Does Harvard University offer scholarships or financial aid?

Yes — Harvard University offers Harvard Financial Aid, Need-based Grants, and about 55% of students receive some form of financial aid.

When is the application deadline for Harvard University?

The application deadline is Jan 01. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.

What can I study at Harvard University?

Harvard University offers 5 broad fields of study: Medicine, Law, Business, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences.

How big are classes at Harvard University?

The average class size is 12 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, across a large campus of about 23,000 students.