Harvard University is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Cambridge, Massachusetts with 7,601 undergraduates. It admits 3.6% of applicants, costs an average of $19,148 a year after grants and graduates 97% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Harvard University acceptance rate and admissions
Harvard University admitted 3.6% of applicants for fall 2024, about 1 in 28. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). Check the admissions office for the current policy.
SAT total
1510 to 1580
4001600
ACT composite
34 to 36
136
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 740 to 780, math 770 to 800). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
Harvard University application deadlines 2026-27
Round
Deadline
Restrictive early action
Nov 1, 2026 (passed)
Regular decision
Jan 1, 2027
Next deadline: Regular decision, Jan 1, 2027. Application fee through the Common App: $95 for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on Harvard University’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Harvard University tuition, cost and net price
Tuition and fees (2025-26)
$64,796
On-campus housing and food (2025-26)
$22,130
Total cost of attendance (2024-25)
$89,279
Average net price after grants (2024-25)
$19,148
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $19,148 a year after grants and scholarships, $70,131 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Median debt is 14% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Harvard University majors and what graduates earn
Harvard University awarded bachelor's degrees in 37 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from statistics ($230,876).
Statistics$230,876
Computer science$203,169
Applied mathematics$170,689
Economics$155,592
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences$117,816
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Harvard University
145 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
What is the acceptance rate at Harvard University?
Harvard University admitted 3.6% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Harvard University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $64,796. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $19,148 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 740 to 780 in reading and writing and 770 to 800 in math, and 34 to 36 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is Harvard University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Harvard University reported that test scores were: required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Harvard University?
97% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Harvard University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $121,957 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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