Harvard University

Cambridge, MA · Private · Ivy League

Official website

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Admission rate

Harvard University admitted 4.2% of applicants university-wide (2,003 of 47,893).

CohortAdmit rateAdmittedApplicants
University-wide4.2%2,00347,893
In-state2024-20258.7%2653,032
Out-of-state2024-20254.0%1,38034,216
International applicants2024-20251.9%32516,760
Men4.0%96824,000
Women4.3%1,03523,872

In-state, out-of-state and international are from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set — the newer file doesn't break out residency.

Also offers Restrictive Early Action (closes Nov 1) — the Common Data Set doesn't publish EA admit counts.

Of 2,003 admitted students, 1,675 enrolled (83.6% yield).

Harvard University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C1–C2 · 2025 — Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.

Test scores and GPA of admitted students

ACT (mid-50%)
33–35
GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)
3.75–4.00

Testing policy: Required

Harvard University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C9–C12 · 2025 — Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.

Cost and financial aid

Published cost of attendance: $91,426/yr.

Out-of-state tuition$59,320
Fees, housing, food, books & other$32,106
Sticker cost of attendance$91,426/yr

Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)

Under $30k$8,697
$30k–48k$2,991
$48k–75k$2,091
$75k–110k$9,941
Over $110k$53,337

U.S. Dept. of Education · College Scorecard — average net price by family income (Title IV, from IPEDS) · 2023

US applicants

Need- and merit-based aid available.

  • Harvard College Financial Aid — Full demonstrated need (no loans for families with incomes under $85,000, reduced loans for others) (Need Based)
  • Harvard College Grant — Varies, up to full cost of attendance (Full Ride)

International applicants

Meets full demonstrated need for internationals.

  • Harvard College Financial Aid — Full demonstrated need (no loans for families with incomes under $85,000, reduced loans for others) (Need Based)
  • Harvard College Grant — Varies, up to full cost of attendance (Full Ride)

Harvard University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections G–H · 2024

Application requirements

US applicants

  • Common Application
  • Harvard College Questions for the Common Application
  • SAT or ACT (or alternative tests in exceptional cases)
  • AP or other examination results (optional)
  • School Report (counselor letter and high school transcript)
  • Teacher Reports (2)
  • Midyear School Report
  • Final School Report
  • Application fee

International applicants

  • Common Application
  • Harvard College Questions for the Common Application
  • SAT or ACT (or alternative tests in exceptional cases)
  • AP or other examination results (optional)
  • School Report (counselor letter and high school transcript)
  • Teacher Reports (2)
  • Midyear School Report
  • Final School Report
  • Application fee
  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • GPA credential conversion
  • Predicted Class XII marksheet
  • Financial documentation (I-20)

Harvard University · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025

Essay prompts

Harvard University requires essays, but this cycle's prompts haven't been posted yet. Check back once the application opens.

Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026

Graduate outcomes

Median earnings
$101,817
Median earnings · 10 years after entry
Graduation rate
97.6%
Within 150% of normal time
First-year retention
98%
Return for year two · CDS Section B
Median debt
$14,000
At graduation

Harvard University · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023 — Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.

Published rankings

  • U.S. News National: #3
  • WSJ: #5
  • Forbes: #6
  • QS: #5

Deadlines

  • 2026-11-01Early Action — Non-binding early round
  • 2027-01-01Regular Decision — Standard deadline

Harvard University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C21–C22 · 2025

Academics and campus

Largest degree fields: Social sciences (27%), Mathematics & statistics (14%), Biological & life sciences (13%).

Student–faculty ratio: 11:1 · 74% of class sections have under 20 students.

Harvard University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections E, F, I · 2025 — Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.

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