Washington College vs. Harvard

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington College in Chestertown, MD with Harvard University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harvard University is larger than Washington College based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); Harvard University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington College 8:1; Harvard University 7:1.

Washington College vs. Harvard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington College or Harvard? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harvard University than Washington College ($17,525 vs. $29,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington College are 13.9% lower than at Harvard University ($18,250 vs. $21,190).
• Harvard University is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $6,350 more per year; $61,676.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.5% higher at Harvard than at Washington College (about $6,350 more per year; $61,676.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at Harvard University (100% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 56.4% larger than aid received by Washington College students ($68,015 vs. $43,485).

Washington College vs. Harvard Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Washington College or Harvard? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Harvard and Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvard University (1550) is 280 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Harvard students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390; Harvard University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31; Harvard University 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; Harvard - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027; Harvard Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Harvard students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Washington College (3.71).
• Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Harvard (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 83.6% at Harvard.

Washington College vs. Harvard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington College and Harvard? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Harvard University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Washington College's (75%).
• Graduates from Harvard University earn a median of about $85,900 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($136,700 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $17,750 lower median loan debt than Washington College graduates ($6,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $183 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington College graduates ($67 vs. $250).
• More Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.