Harvard University
#1 Colleges With the Highest Graduation Rates- Graduation Rate
- 97% A+
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $101,817 A+
- Top 1% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $19,066 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 4% A+
- Rejects about 96 of every 100 applicants
Bottom line: A B+ overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 27.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $27.3 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Colleges With the Highest Graduation Rates.
Every $1 spent returns $27.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,007,835.
What The Data Says
-
A B+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 150% more than the national college median.
-
A 97% graduation rate — 71% above the national average.
-
Inventor rate in the top 11% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
-
Admits just 4% of applicants — one of the most selective institutions in the country.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 2.1%
- Top 11%
- Patents
- 386
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #1
- Times Higher Education
- Patent Citations
- 1,003
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 99/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Harvard University Matters
Harvard University is a private research university in Cambridge, MA ranked #1 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by exceptional admissions selectivity, a top-tier research enterprise, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 1% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 7,601
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Mathematics & Statistics, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Harvard University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Highly selective — admits about 4% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1510–1580. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,066 a year after grants and scholarships — 11% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $101,817 ten years after enrolling — 150% above the typical college, against $14,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 36% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.69 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of just 4%, Harvard University is a place where the most driven and ambitious students find their footing. It’s especially suitable for those drawn to rigorous academic programs like Social Sciences, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physical Sciences. The environment here encourages intellectual curiosity and a commitment to excellence, attracting a diverse group of scholars who are ready to engage deeply with their studies.
After graduation, the financial outlook is promising, with alumni earning an average of $101,817 within ten years. This level of earning power is a significant motivator for students considering their future. While the cost of education is an important factor, many graduates see a strong return on their investment, which makes the financial commitment worthwhile for those who can navigate the admissions process.
When we look at the practical aspects, the net price after aid stands at $19,066, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $14,000. This financial structure allows students to focus on their education without being overwhelmed by debt. Those who thrive at Harvard often share a passion for learning and a desire to make a difference in the world, making the most of the resources and opportunities available to them.
Rankings
- #1 Colleges With the Highest Graduation Rates
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #1 Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #1 Best Biology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #1 Best Research Universities in America
- #1 Best Globally-Ranked American Universities
- #2 Highest-Yield Colleges (Most-Loved)
- #2 Best Online Colleges
Can I Get In?
How selective Harvard University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Harvard University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 4%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,553. The graduation rate is roughly 97%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 4%
- Retention Rate
- 98%
- SAT Average
- 1553
- ACT Midpoint
- 35
- SAT Range
- 1510–1580
- ACT Range
- 34–36
- Full-Time Faculty
- 87%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $25,048
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 7:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.81
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 61,221
- Admitted
- 1,984
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Harvard University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 84% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school very few admitted students turn down.
- Yield Rate
- 84%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 54%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 19%
- of enrolled freshmen
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Harvard University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Harvard University is $61,676, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,066. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,697 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $61,676
- Out-of-State
- $61,676
- Avg Net Price
- $19,066
- Median Debt
- $14,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 4%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,697
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $2,991
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $2,091
- Family Income $110K+
- $53,337
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Harvard University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Harvard University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Harvard University earn a median of $101,817, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $99,572
- 8 Years
- $101,095
- 10 Years
- $101,817
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.14x
- Earning > $25K
- 88%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,417)
- 86%
- 100% (1,417)
- 86%
- 100% (1,417)
- 86%
- 100% (1,417)
- 86%
How Harvard Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Harvard University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Harvard University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,066/year ($76,264 total). Graduates earn $101,817 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,084,099 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,007,835 (27.3× your investment). The median debt is $14,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 97% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $76,264
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,084,099
- Net Return
- $2,007,835
- ROI Multiple
- 27.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,066
- Median Debt
- $14,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 97%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Harvard University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Harvard University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.76%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 57.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $174,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.76%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 57.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $236,405
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is Harvard University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Harvard University at #1 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 99/100, teaching at 100/100, and citation impact of 99/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #1
- Teaching
- 99.7
- Research
- 98.7
- Citations
- 98.8
- International
- 72.4
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Harvard University produces inventors at an above-average rate (top 11% nationally), with 386 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 99/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 2.11%
- Top 11% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 386
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 1,003
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 99/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 99/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 35/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.44%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-1,297,118,000
Top Programs
The fields Harvard University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Social Sciences 27% $93,833 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 13% $56,154 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 11% $152,939 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 10% $152,964 early-career
- Physical Sciences 5%
- Psychology 4% $68,105 early-career
- Engineering 4% $163,501 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 2% $47,441 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Harvard University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Harvard University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 4%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,553. The graduation rate is roughly 97%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Harvard University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Harvard University is $61,676, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,066. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,697 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,000 in federal student loans.
Is Harvard University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Harvard University earn a median of $101,817, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Harvard University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Harvard University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.76%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 57.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $174,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Harvard University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Harvard University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Harvard University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Harvard University at #1 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 99/100, teaching at 100/100, and citation impact of 99/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does Harvard University offer Early Decision?
No. Harvard University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Harvard University really test-optional?
Harvard University reports test-optional admission, but most enrolled students still submit scores: about 73% of first-year students sent an SAT or ACT (2024-25 Common Data Set). Submitting strong scores is the norm here.
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Harvard University?
About 84% of admitted students choose to enroll at Harvard University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Harvard University.
- Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · Close peer96% grad $100,533 earn 4% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of ChicagoChicago, IL · Close peer95% grad $91,885 earn 4% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY · Close peer96% grad $102,491 earn 4% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Duke UniversityDurham, NC · Close peer96% grad $97,800 earn 6% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Brown UniversityProvidence, RI · Close peer96% grad $93,487 earn 5% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN · Close peer93% grad $91,565 earn 6% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Harvard University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Harvard University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note