Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Online | harvard.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, across the Charles River from Boston, is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, established in 1636. The historic campus spans 209 acres and features Georgian and Revival-style architecture centered around Harvard Yard, with additional facilities throughout Cambridge and Boston's Allston neighborhood. As a member of the Ivy League, Harvard maintains highly selective undergraduate admissions and offers comprehensive academic programs through its Faculty of Arts and Sciences and 12 degree-granting professional schools, with particular strengths in economics, government, life sciences, and business. First-year students reside in dormitories in Harvard Yard, while upperclassmen live in 12 undergraduate residential houses, each with its own dining hall, common areas, and faculty deans. The Harvard Crimson compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with a historic rivalry in football against Yale University.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Harvard is rated within the top 2% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Harvard University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#4 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Colleges in Massachusetts
#1 in Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts
#1 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1490/1580 |
| ACT | 34/36 |
| GPA | 4.0 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Extreme |
| Application Fee | $85 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Other Fees | $4,602 |
| Room and Board | $19,502 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,875 |
| Total One Year Cost | $83,538 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 32% |
| Biology | 12% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 9% |
| History | 9% |
| Mathematics | 6% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Harvard University.
- What are the GPA requirements for Ivy League schools?
- How much does a legacy status help in Ivy League admissions?
- How do I schedule a campus visit to an Ivy League school?
- Best time to visit Ivy League colleges?
- How are weekend visits to Ivy League campuses?
- Are there virtual tour options for Ivy League colleges?
- Colleges in Boston with strong diversity initiatives?
- Inclusive campuses in Massachusetts?
- LGBTQ+ friendly schools in New England?
- Is a 33 ACT Score Considered Good?
- Is a 34 ACT Score Good?
- Is a 36 ACT score really impressive?
- Is Vanderbilt Ivy League?
- Is Stanford part of the Ivy League?
- Which Ivy League is least regarded?
- Can you get into Harvard with a lower GPA?
- What's the difference between summa cum laude and valedictorian?
- Chances of Getting Into Harvard?
- Which colleges in the U.S. are the hardest to get into?
- Is a 1500 SAT score good enough?
- Best way to use SAT superscore for Ivy League colleges?
- Importance of ACT writing section
- SAT Subject Tests and College Requirements
- Importance of SAT subscores?
- How selective is the transfer process at Ivy League schools?
- Hardest Colleges to Get Into in Massachusetts?
- What GPA is needed for Harvard admission?
- Is Harvard test optional for the upcoming admissions cycle?
- Is Harvard's Early Decision Acceptance Higher?
- What's Harvard's Transfer Acceptance Rate?
- Does Harvard require SAT scores in 2024?
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=166027 IPEDS survey data for Harvard University.
Current students may use the Harvard University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024