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Harvard University

Cambridge, MA
Known forUltra-selectiveHigh yieldTop test scoresBig endowment per studentVery diverseHigh earnersFew students borrowHigh graduation rate
WebsiteAdmissionsApplyVisitFinancial aid

Updates

What changed

New and revised figures from the latest data releases, each with its year.

Published Oct 10, 2026

  • Fall 2025: middle 50% SAT Reading & Writing 720–770 (fall 2024: 740–780)Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26
  • Fall 2025: middle 50% SAT Math 730–790 (fall 2024: 770–800)Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26
  • Fall 2025: middle 50% ACT composite 33–35 (fall 2024: 34–36)Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26
  • Entered fall 2024: 98.0% returned for a second year (entered fall 2023: 98.3%)Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26

Sources:Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26, Entered fall 2024About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)

Admissions · Fall 2025

1 in 24 applicants admitted

Harvard admits about 1 in 24 applicants (4.2%). That puts it in the "Most selective" tier, more selective than 100% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.

4.2%

4.2%

acceptance rateMost selective

Applied

47,893

Admitted

2,003

Yield

84%

of admits enroll

Avg. GPA

4.22

weighted

SAT middle 50%

1450–1560

10001600
ACT middle 50%

33–35

1836
Applications +57% since fall 2014 · admit rate 6.0% → 3.6%Over time

Getting in, in detail: funnel, what they look at, your scores

Students

Who's on campus

A medium campus of 7,601 undergrads, where 16% receive Pell Grants, a low share compared to other colleges.

7.6K

undergrads · larger than 85% of colleges

Diversity index

0.80

Pell Grant

16%

below the median

First generation

26%

below the median

Midsize cityFirst-years live on campusNCAA D-I FCS · Ivy GroupROTCStudy abroadUndergrad research
More diverse · index 0.73 → 0.80 since fall 2014Over time

Students and campus life in detail

Academics

Majors and faculty

The most popular major is Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (13% of graduates). 7 students for every faculty member, fewer than at 92% of colleges. 87% of faculty are full-time. Spends $51,780 a year on instruction per student.

7 to 1

students per faculty member · fewer than at 92% of colleges

Most popular major

Econometrics and Quantitative Economics

13% of 2024–25 graduates

Top-earning major

Statistics

$230.9K four years after completion

Full-time faculty

87%

of faculty

Instruction spending

$51.8K

per student a year

All majors with search, earnings by major, and faculty

Cost & aid · 2023–24

What it costs

In 2023–24, the average first-year paid an estimated $48,312 in total (tuition, housing, food, books and other costs, after grants), $24K more than the national median. The 56% who received grants paid $17,525 on average; the other 44% paid the full sticker price of $86,705.

44%

$48.3K

average total cost per year, all first-years, after grants (est.) · $24K above the national median

$0$110K$400K+
Full price
$86,705 a year
tuition, housing, food, books, and other costs
Need-based aid
Published data end at $110K
use the college's net price calculator for higher incomes
Merit aid
None
all grants are need-based
Aid generosity

Generous

grants cover 44% of full price

Federal loans

4%

of undergrads · national median 45%

Your price

Net price calculator

the college's own

Financial aid

Financial aid office Veterans' benefits
Cost steady · +5% after inflation since 2013–14Over time

Prices, who gets aid, and borrowing in detail

Outcomes

What it pays

Former students earn a median $101,817 ten years after enrolling, more than at 98% of colleges; 98% graduate within six years. Four years of net price is about 1.9 years of that salary.

98%

98%

graduate within six years · national median 59%

Median earnings

$101.8K

10 years after entry

Median debt

$14K

≈ $148/month for 10 years

Retention

98%

come back for year two

Graduation rate 98% → 98% since the class that entered fall 2008Over time

Earnings, finishing, 8-year outcomes, by group

Over time · since 2013–14

How it's changed

Since 2013–14, the full price rose 10% after inflation, while what the average first-year paid rose 5%, because grants grew faster. Applications rose 57% since fall 2014, and the acceptance rate went from 6.0% to 3.6%.

  • Cost

    Steady

    +5% after inflation

  • Applications

    Growing

    +57%

  • Selectivity

    Steady

    admit rate 6% → 4% (to fall 2024)

  • Diversity

    More diverse

    index 0.73 → 0.80

Every series, year by year

Keep exploring

Schools like this one

University of Chicago

4.5% admit · SAT 1530 · 7.6K undergrads

Similar selectivitySimilar scoresSimilar size
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Emory University

10% admit · SAT 1505 · 7.3K undergrads

Similar selectivitySimilar scoresSimilar size
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Carnegie Mellon University

11% admit · SAT 1535 · 7.3K undergrads

Similar selectivitySimilar scoresSimilar size
Compare side-by-side

University of Pennsylvania

5.4% admit · SAT 1540 · 10.7K undergrads

Similar selectivitySimilar scoresSimilar size
Compare side-by-side
Sources for this overviewEvery dataset and year behind the numbers on this profile; tap any ⓘ for one number's source

Sources for this profile

  1. 1
    IPEDS directory (Institutional Characteristics: HD)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2025–26 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  2. 2
    College Scorecard

    U.S. Department of Education · most recent release; Fall 2024; 2023–24; Fall 2023 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  3. 3
    Harvard University (Fall 2025)

    Harvard University · Fall 2025 · retrieved 2026-10-10

  4. 4
    Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26

    Harvard University · Fall 2025; Fall 2027 applicants; 2024–25; Fall 2026 entrants; Entered fall 2024; 2025–26; Fall 2026 cycle; Class of 2025 · retrieved 2026-10-05

  5. 5
    IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2023–24 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  6. 6
    IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2025–26 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  7. 7
    IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part D)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  8. 8
    IPEDS Completions survey (degrees awarded by field)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2024–25 graduates · retrieved 2026-10-12

  9. 9
    College Scorecard Field of Study data

    U.S. Department of Education · most recent release · retrieved 2026-10-12

  10. 10
    IPEDS Finance survey, derived per-student figures

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2023–24 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  11. 11
    IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2023–24 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  12. 12
    Harvard University (2025–26)

    Harvard University · 2025–26 · retrieved 2026-10-10

  13. 13
    Common Data Set

    Each college (voluntary, standardized template) · most recent release · retrieved 2026-10-12

  14. 14
    IPEDS Graduation Rates survey (Pell Grant and subsidized loan recipients)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Entered fall 2018 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  15. 15
    IPEDS Admissions survey

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  16. 16
    IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part C, residence of first-time students)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  17. 17
    IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part A, enrollment by level)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  18. 18
    IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (distance education)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  19. 19
    IPEDS Salaries survey (SAL, instructional staff, all ranks)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  20. 20
    IPEDS Outcome Measures survey

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Students entering fall 2016 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  21. 21
    Harvard University (2026)

    Harvard University · 2026 · retrieved 2026-10-04

IPEDS unit ID 166027 · Data retrieved 2026-10-12. Tap any ⓘ to see where that number came from and what year it describes. National ranks and medians include every 4-year college that reports the measure. How we source and calculate everything