Harvard vs. Simmons University

Deciding between Harvard University and Simmons University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Harvard University
Simmons University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Simmons University Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Simmons University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Simmons University 4,666
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • Simmons University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • Simmons University #111
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Harvard -
  • Simmons University -
  • Status
  • Harvard Non-profit
  • Simmons University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Harvard
  • Simmons University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Simmons University $46,874
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Simmons University $46,874
  • Room & Board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Simmons University $17,618
  • Average Net Price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Simmons University $28,691
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • Simmons University $35,123
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • Simmons University 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Simmons University 4,773
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Simmons University 3,340
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Simmons University 70%
  • Enrolled
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Simmons University 10.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • Simmons University 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • Simmons University 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Simmons University 3.87
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Simmons University A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • Simmons University Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • Simmons University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Harvard 34/36
  • Simmons University 26/34
  • SAT Range
  • Harvard 1510/1580
  • Simmons University 1220/1390
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Simmons University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Simmons University Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Simmons University 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Simmons University
    • Health Professions (37%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Business (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • Simmons University 69%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Simmons University $52,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • Simmons University 80%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Simmons University $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Harvard $67
  • Simmons University $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Harvard 46%
  • Simmons University 9%
  • % Women
  • Harvard 54%
  • Simmons University 91%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Harvard Very High
  • Simmons University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Harvard No
  • Simmons University No
  • % White
  • Harvard 44%
  • Simmons University 67%
  • % Asian
  • Harvard 19%
  • Simmons University 9%
  • % Black
  • Harvard 6%
  • Simmons University 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Harvard 10%
  • Simmons University 6%
  • % Native American
  • Harvard 0%
  • Simmons University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Harvard 0%
  • Simmons University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Harvard 6%
  • Simmons University 4%
  • % International
  • Harvard 11%
  • Simmons University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Harvard 3%
  • Simmons University 4%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Harvard 14%
  • Simmons University 60%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Harvard 68%
  • Simmons University 37%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Harvard Yes
  • Simmons University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Harvard Yes
  • Simmons University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Harvard Yes
  • Simmons University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Harvard No
  • Simmons University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Harvard Yes
  • Simmons University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvard University in Cambridge, MA with Simmons University in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harvard University is larger than Simmons University based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Simmons University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simmons University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvard University 7:1; Simmons University 9:1.

Harvard vs. Simmons University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Harvard or Simmons University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harvard University than Simmons University ($17,525 vs. $28,691).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simmons University are 16.9% lower than at Harvard University ($17,618 vs. $21,190).
  • Harvard University is 31.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simmons University (about $14,802 more per year; $61,676.00 vs. $46,874.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 31.6% higher at Harvard than at Simmons University (about $14,802 more per year; $61,676.00 vs. $46,874.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simmons University than at Harvard University (100% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 93.6% larger than aid received by Simmons University students ($68,015 vs. $35,123).

Harvard vs. Simmons University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Harvard or Simmons University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Simmons University and Harvard.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvard University (1550) is 240 points higher than at Simmons University (1310).
  • Incoming Harvard students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Simmons University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvard University 1510/1580; Simmons University 1220/1390.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvard University 34/36; Simmons University 26/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Harvard - Required; Simmons University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027; Simmons University Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Harvard students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Simmons University (3.87).
  • Simmons University has a higher acceptance rate (70%) than Harvard (3.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 10.8% at Simmons University.

Harvard vs. Simmons University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Harvard and Simmons University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Harvard University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Simmons University's (69%).
  • Graduates from Harvard University earn a median of about $83,900 more per year than Simmons University graduates about ten years after starting college ($136,700 vs. $52,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than Simmons University graduates ($6,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $201 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simmons University graduates ($67 vs. $268).
  • More Simmons University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.