Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Midsize city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 3.6%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 56,937
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 1,965
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 1,645
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 84%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 3.4%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 3.5%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 740–780
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 770–800
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 34–36
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 52% / 22%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- considered
- Other test
- considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $85,540
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $61,676
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $61,676
- Median debt at graduation
- $14,000
- Students with federal loans
- 4.4%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 98%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 98%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $92,518
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $101,817
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 7,601
- Graduate students
- 21,415
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 7 : 1
- Women
- 54%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 16%
- Full-time faculty
- 87%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Alan Garber
- Main phone
- (617) 495-1000
- Address
- Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138
How to apply
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Early Action | November 1 | mid-December |
| Regular Decision | January 1 | end of March |
- Apply with
- Common App, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- $95 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Required
- Essays
- 5 short-answer questions, 150 words each
- Recommendations
- 2 teacher evaluations from different subjects
Testing: SAT or ACT required; AP/IB/other exams accepted only in exceptional circumstances
Financial aid policies
- Need-blind for U.S. applicants
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- No-loan financial aid
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: None; all aid is need-based
- $0 parent contribution under $100,000 income; at least full tuition covered under $200,000
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: college.harvard.edu, college.harvard.edu, college.harvard.edu, college.harvard.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.