Harvard University

www.harvard.edu/

Add Comparison

2020 Undergraduate Tuition

$49,653

4.03% growth from 2019

2020 Average Net Price

$18,037

After Financial Aid

2018 Student Loan

0.912%

Default Rate

2020 Acceptance Rate

5.01%

40,248 Applicants

2020 Enrolled Students

30,391

62.6% Full-Time

2020 Graduation Rate

97.6%

1,610 Graduates

About

Harvard University is a higher education institution located in Middlesex County, MA. In 2020, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Harvard University were Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (215 degrees awarded), Computer Science (190 degrees), and General Social Sciences (157 degrees).

In 2020, 9,947 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Harvard University. 50.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 49.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (4,181 degrees), 2.63 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1589 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Harvard University is $49,653, which is $21,090 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

About the photo: Emerson Hall in a snowstorm

Photo by Colleen A. Bryant

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Harvard University is $49,653, which is $21,090 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $18,037.

In 2020, 42% of undergraduate students attending Harvard University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 2% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$49,653

2020 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2020, the cost of tuition at Harvard University was $49,653. The cost of tuition at Harvard University is $21,090 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Harvard University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$18,037

2020 Value

0.0388%

1 Year Growth

In 2020 Harvard University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $18,037. Between 2019 and 2020, the average net price of Harvard University grew by 0.0388%.

This chart compares the average net price of Harvard University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$17,682

Room and Board

$800

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Harvard University was of $17,682 in 2020. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $800. The cost of room and board increased by 3.04% between 2019 and 2020. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 20% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Harvard University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

42%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

42% of undergraduate students at Harvard University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2020. This represents a decline of 4.55% with respect to 2019, when 44% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Harvard University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.912%

2018 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2018 the default rate for borrower's at Harvard University was 0.912%, which represents 18 out of the 1973 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Harvard University received 40,248 undergraduate applications in 2020, which represents a 7.11% annual decline. Out of those 40,248 applicants, 2,015 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 5.01% acceptance rate.

There were 30,391 students enrolled at Harvard University in 2020, and 72% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Harvard University has an overall enrollment yield of 69.8%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

5.01%

Acceptance Rate in 2020

2,015

Accepted Out of 40,248

In 2020, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Harvard University was 5.01% (2,015 admissions from 40,248 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2019, which was 4.64%. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of applicants declined by −7.11%, while admissions grew by 0.299%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Harvard University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

SAT Scores

72%

Submission Percentage

1,007

Scores Submitted

72% of enrolled first-time students at Harvard University in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Harvard University has a total enrollment of 30,391 students. The full-time enrollment at Harvard University is 19,030 students and the part-time enrollment is 11,361. This means that 62.6% of students enrolled at Harvard University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Harvard University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 39.7% White, 13.7% Asian, 9.46% Hispanic or Latino, 6.56% Black or African American, 3.94% Two or More Races, 0.197% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.118% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Harvard University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (18.2%), followed by White Female (15.9%) and Asian Female (11.9%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (18.5%), followed by White Male (18.5%) and Asian Female (7.09%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

62.6%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Harvard University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 30,391 students. The full-time enrollment at Harvard University is 19,030 and the part-time enrollment is 11,361. This means that 62.6% of students enrolled at Harvard University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.5% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Harvard University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

76%

2020 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Harvard University was 76%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (85%), Harvard University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Harvard University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity

White
12,074
Asian
4,153
Hispanic or Latino
2,876

The enrolled student population at Harvard University is 39.7% White, 13.7% Asian, 9.46% Hispanic or Latino, 6.56% Black or African American, 3.94% Two or More Races, 0.197% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.118% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 50% White, 15% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.69% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1,037 students (3.41%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2020, 75 more women than men received degrees from Harvard University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Harvard University is white (4,181 degrees awarded). There were 2.63 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1589 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Harvard University is Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (215 degrees awarded), followed by Computer Science (190 degrees) and General Social Sciences (157 degrees).

The most specialized majors across all degree types at Harvard University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Applied Sciences (233 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (224 degrees), and Legal (769 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Harvard University are Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (117,185 people), Other managers (94,014 people), Architects, except landscape and naval (92,362 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (82,169 people), and Postsecondary teachers (51,753 people).

The most specialized majors at Harvard University are Applied Sciences (233 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (224 degrees), Legal (769 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (280 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (124 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Harvard University are Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, Surgeons, Clinical and counseling psychologists, Computer hardware engineers, and Entertainers & performers, sports & related workers, all other

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Harvard University are Elementary & secondary schools (176,736 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (153,401 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (117,074 people), Legal services (100,904 people), and Construction (67,652 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Harvard University.

Most Common

Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
215 degree-majorss awarded
Computer Science
190 degree-majorss awarded
General Social Sciences
157 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Harvard University was Econometrics & Quantitative Economics with 215 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Harvard University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

4,936

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2020

5,011

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2020

In 2020, 4,936 degrees were awarded to men at Harvard University, which is 0.985 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (5,011).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Harvard University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2020, 608 degrees were awarded to men at Harvard University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.32 times more than the 462 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2020, 482 degrees were awarded to women at Harvard University in General Education, which is 3.21 times more than the 150 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

87%

100% Completion Time

98%

150% Completion Time

In 2020, 87% of students graduating from Harvard University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 98% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 98% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Male

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Harvard University is Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.4%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.994% of graduates (16 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
4,181 degrees awarded
Asian
1,589 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
865 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Harvard University is white (4,181 degrees awarded). There were 2.63 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1589 degrees).

2.55% of degree recipients (254 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic

White Male
2,136 degrees awarded
White Female
2,045 degrees awarded
Asian Female
837 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Harvard University is white male (2,136 degrees awarded). There were 1.04 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (2,045 degrees).

Operations

Harvard University has an endowment valued at nearly $41.9B, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $3.06B (7.3%), compared to the 3.43% average return ($10.5M on $307M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2020, Harvard University had a total salary expenditure of $5.38B. Harvard University employs 995 Professors, 267 Lecturers, and 223 Assistant professors. Most academics at Harvard University are Male Professors (714), Female Professors(281), and Male Lecturers (139).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Harvard University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 2509 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 1900 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 1883 employees.

Endowment

$41.9B

2020 Endowment

2.36%

growth from 2019

Harvard University has an endowment valued at about $41.9B, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The endowment of Harvard University grew 2.36% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $41.6B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Harvard University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$616M - Federal
$3.15M - State
$128k - Local

As of 2020, Harvard University received $616M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $3.15M from state grants and contracts, and $128k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$2.13B

2020 Salaries

4.56%

growth from 2019

In 2020, Harvard University paid a median of $2.13B in salaries, which represents 39.6% of their overall expenditure ($5.38B) and a 4.56% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 4.87% growth from 2018 and a 3.08% growth from 2017.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 238M (42.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$364M

Instructional Salaries

1,781

Number of Employees

In 2020, Harvard University paid a total of $364M to 1,781 employees working as instructors, which represents 17.1% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $70.3M (29.6%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

995 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

2509 Employees

In 2020, the most common positions for instructional staff at Harvard University were Professor with 995 employees; Lecturer with 267 employees; and Lecturer with 223 employees.

In 2020, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Harvard University were Business and Financial Operations with 2,509 employees; Computer, Engineering, and Science with 1,900 employees; and Office and Administrative Support with 1,883 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic

Male Professor
Female Professor
Male Lecturer

In 2020, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Harvard University was Male Professor with 714 employees, Female Professor with 281 employees, and Male Lecturer with 139 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Harvard University.