Johns Hopkins vs. Harvard

Johns Hopkins University and Harvard University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Johns Hopkins University
Harvard University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted vs 6.4%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1550.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harvard. Average net price is $17,525 vs $26,017 at Johns Hopkins.
  • Graduation: Johns Hopkins 91% vs Harvard 97%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Johns Hopkins $85,800 vs Harvard $136,700 (median).
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Key differences

Johns Hopkins University Harvard University
Acceptance rate
Harvard more selective
Johns Hopkins6.4%
Harvard3.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Johns Hopkins1520-1570
Harvard1510-1580
Average net price
Harvard $8,492 less
Johns Hopkins$26,017
Harvard$17,525
In-state tuition
Harvard $3,554 less
Johns Hopkins$65,230
Harvard$61,676
Out-of-state tuition
Harvard $3,554 less
Johns Hopkins$65,230
Harvard$61,676
Graduation rate
Harvard +6 pts
Johns Hopkins91%
Harvard97%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$50,900
Johns Hopkins$85,800
Harvard$136,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Johns Hopkins 45,895
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Admitted
  • Johns Hopkins 2,954
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Acceptance rate
  • Johns Hopkins 6.4%
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Johns Hopkins 47%
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Johns Hopkins 1550
  • Harvard 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Johns Hopkins 35
  • Harvard 35
  • Average high school GPA
  • Johns Hopkins 3.92
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Typical high school grades
  • Johns Hopkins A
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Admissions standards
  • Johns Hopkins Elite
  • Harvard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Johns Hopkins Extreme
  • Harvard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Johns Hopkins 1520-1570
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Johns Hopkins 34-36
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Submit test scores
  • Johns Hopkins Required
  • Harvard Required
  • Application deadline
  • Johns Hopkins Jan 3, 2027
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Johns Hopkins $65,230
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Johns Hopkins $65,230
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Room & board
  • Johns Hopkins $20,150
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Average net price
  • Johns Hopkins $26,017
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Average grant aid
  • Johns Hopkins $59,977
  • Harvard $68,015
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Johns Hopkins 60%
  • Harvard 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Johns Hopkins 91%
  • Harvard 97%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Johns Hopkins $85,800
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Johns Hopkins 81%
  • Harvard 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Johns Hopkins $15,000
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Johns Hopkins $155
  • Harvard $67
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Johns Hopkins 6:1
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Johns Hopkins
    • Health Professions (23%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Engineering (16%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Mathematics (4%)
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Location
  • Johns Hopkins Baltimore, MD
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Setting
  • Johns Hopkins Large City
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Johns Hopkins 30,210
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Type
  • Johns Hopkins Private 4 Year
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Johns Hopkins #10
  • Harvard #4

Comparable Facts

Compare Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD with Harvard University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Harvard University is larger than Johns Hopkins based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 30,210 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Johns Hopkins University is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); Harvard University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Johns Hopkins University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Johns Hopkins University 6:1; Harvard University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johns Hopkins University are 4.9% lower than at Harvard University ($20,150 vs. $21,190).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Johns Hopkins than at Harvard University (about $3,554 more per year; $65,230 vs. $61,676).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johns Hopkins University than at Harvard University (60% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 13.4% larger than aid received by Johns Hopkins University students ($68,015 vs. $59,977).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Johns Hopkins students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 35) as students at Harvard (35).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at both Johns Hopkins and Harvard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Johns Hopkins Jan 3, 2027; Harvard Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Johns Hopkins (3.92).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47% at Johns Hopkins vs. 83.6% at Harvard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Johns Hopkins graduates ($6,500 vs. $15,000).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Johns Hopkins graduates ($67 vs. $155).
  • More Johns Hopkins graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (81% vs. 70%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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