Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Online | harvard.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, across the Charles River from Boston, is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, established in 1636. The historic campus spans 209 acres and features Georgian and Revival-style architecture centered around Harvard Yard, with additional facilities throughout Cambridge and Boston's Allston neighborhood. As a member of the Ivy League, Harvard maintains highly selective undergraduate admissions and offers comprehensive academic programs through its Faculty of Arts and Sciences and 12 degree-granting professional schools, with particular strengths in economics, government, life sciences, and business. First-year students reside in dormitories in Harvard Yard, while upperclassmen live in 12 undergraduate residential houses, each with its own dining hall, common areas, and faculty deans. The Harvard Crimson compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with a historic rivalry in football against Yale University.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Harvard is rated within the top 2% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Harvard University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#4 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Colleges in Massachusetts
#1 in Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts
#1 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1500/1580 |
| ACT | 34/36 |
| GPA | 4.0 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Extreme |
| Application Fee | $85 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $4,807 |
| Room and Board | $20,374 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,255 |
| Total One Year Cost | $86,705 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 32% |
| Biology | 12% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 9% |
| History | 9% |
| Mathematics | 6% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Harvard University.
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- Can you get into Harvard with a lower GPA?
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- What's the difference between summa cum laude and valedictorian?
- Chances of Getting Into Harvard?
- What is the Highest SAT Score Possible?
- Which colleges in the U.S. are the hardest to get into?
- Is a 1490 on the SAT considered a strong score?
- Is a 1500 SAT score good enough?
- Impact of Weighted GPA on College Applications
- Which colleges use SAT superscores?
- Best way to use SAT superscore for Ivy League colleges?
- Importance of ACT writing section
- SAT Score Comparison for Public and Private Colleges
- SAT Subject Tests and College Requirements
- Do ACT subscores flag academic strengths or weaknesses?
- Importance of SAT subscores?
- How selective is the transfer process at Ivy League schools?
- How competitive is Early Action at Harvard?
- What?s up with Ivy League acceptance rates?
- Should I Take AP Classes?
- Hardest Colleges to Get Into in Massachusetts?
- What Are My Chances with a 3.9 GPA?
- What GPA is needed for Harvard admission?
- Is Harvard test optional for the upcoming admissions cycle?
- Is Harvard's Early Decision Acceptance Higher?
- What's Harvard's Transfer Acceptance Rate?
- Does Harvard require SAT scores in 2024?
- What are my chances of getting into Harvard?
- What are the crucial elements for Harvard University admission?
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=166027 IPEDS survey data for Harvard University.
Current students may use the Harvard University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025