Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Harvard University is a private national university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard University is extremely selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Harvard University is in the top 5% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $84,918 10 years after enrolling, 9th in Massachusetts, and in the top 5% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Harvard University bachelor students earn 50% more than the national average. Harvard University is ranked 3rd in Massachusetts.
Harvard University’s median net annual cost of $13,872 and average years to graduate of 4.3 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Harvard University sorted by number of graduates - Social Sciences, Economics, Computer Science, History, Applied Mathematics, Poli Sci/Government - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$13,872
Average years to graduate
4.3
Statistics
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.09
Research&Experimental Psych
Rank: #1
Economic score: 1.51
Sociology
Rank: #11
Economic score: 1.71
Neurobiology & Neurosciences
Rank: #2
Economic score: 1.91
Cellular Biology & Anatomical Science
Rank: #2
Economic score: 2.23
Ecology & Evolution
Rank: #1
Economic score: 2.23
English Language & Lit
Rank: #17
Economic score: 2.56
Anthropology
Rank: #141
Economic score: 58.61
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Harvard University - Business Administration, Education, Public Health, Public Administration, Public Policy Analysis, Natural Resource Conservation - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Educational media design
Rank: #3
Economic score: 0.21
Computer Engineering
Rank: #5
Economic score: 0.25
Finance
Rank: #8
Economic score: 0.28
Ecology & Evolution
Rank: #2
Economic score: 0.29
Theological Studies
Rank: #5
Economic score: 0.56
Landscape Architecture
Rank: #2
Economic score: 0.77
Architectural Science&Tech
Rank: #6
Economic score: 0.94
The average student at Harvard University takes 4.3 years to graduate, with 98% graduating within 8 years. The graduation rate at Harvard University is 25% more than the state average and 30% more than the average for all national universities in the country.
At Harvard University, Pell Grant recipients represent 13% of the measured graduating class, 22% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Harvard University graduates within 4.3 years.
Harvard University is in the bottom 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Harvard University’s economic mobility score of 12.86 is calculated by adjusting the 0.15 economic score of lower-income students by the 13% pell grant recipients within the student body. Harvard University’s EMS of 12.86 ranks in the bottom 50% nationally.
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Harvard University pays $13,872 a year, $62,019 less than the $75,891 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $13,872
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Harvard University, 56% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $13,872 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 4% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $8,799. This is 50% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,180
Pell grants
$5,046
State grants
$2,540
Institutional grants
$56,127
Harvard University's extremely selective admissions are indicated by their 4% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 57,786 applicants, of which 2,318 were admitted and 1,951 enrolled. Harvard University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
50%
59%
First time
99%
59%
In-state
16%
68%
1st generation
26%
35%
White
36%
52%
Black
11%
14%
Hispanic
12%
15%
Asian
21%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
20%
12%