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Harvard University

#3 in Best Colleges in America
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • Cambridge, MA
  • 684 reviews
    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      A+
    2. Value
      A+
    3. Diversity
      A+
    4. Campus
      A
    5. Athletics
      B+
    6. Party Scene
      A
    7. Professors
      A+
    8. Location
      A+
    9. Dorms
      A
    10. Campus Food
      B+
    11. Student Life
      A+
    12. Safety
      B
    View Full Report Card
    Harvard is an elite private university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the Boston Area. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 7,147 undergraduate students. Admissions is extremely competitive as the Harvard acceptance rate is only 5%. Popular majors include Economics, Computer Science, and History. Graduating 96% of students, Harvard alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $70,300.
    About Harvard University...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division I-FCS
    Athletic Conference
    Ivy League
    Address
    Massachusetts Hall
    Cambridge, MA 02138
    Website
    harvard.edu
    Work Here? Claim Your College

    Harvard University Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Acceptance Rate
    5%
    Application Deadline
    January 1
    SAT Range
    1460-1590
    ACT Range
    32-35
    Application Fee
    $75
    SAT/ACT
    Required
    High School GPA
    Recommended
    Early Decision/Early Action
    Yes

    Test Prep

    SAT and ACT Prep Options
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    Cost

    Net Price
    $17,030/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $49,870/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    72%

    Academics

    Professors
    A+
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    7:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    Yes
    80%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.65 responses
    88%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.72 responses
    50%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.72 responses
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    Claim your free account to keep your college's data up-to-date and get insights on user activity for your profile.

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Economics
      338 Graduates
    • Computer Science
      230 Graduates
    • History
      170 Graduates
    • Political Science and Government
      165 Graduates
    • Social Science Research Methods
      160 Graduates
    • Research and Experimental Psychology
      138 Graduates
    • Public Health
      107 Graduates
    • Statistics
      95 Graduates
    • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
      92 Graduates
    • Computational and Applied Mathematics
      81 Graduates

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    7,147Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    2,818
    Undergrads Over 25
    4%
    Pell Grant
    15%
    Varsity Athletes
    16%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 46 responses
    Report
    • Passionately committed
      30%
    • Smart
      28%
    • Brilliant
      26%
    • Stressed
      4%
    • Average
      2%
    • Empathetic
      2%
    • Nice
      2%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    100%
    Poll
    56%
    of students say Greek life is pretty low-key and has little effect on the social scene.61 responses
    Poll
    53%
    of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.75 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 48 responses
    Report
    • Intense, Passionate, Diverse and Life Changing
      48%
    • It's Harvard
      27%
    • Intense
      17%
    • In between a fantasy and reality
      4%
    • i am excited graduating student 2019
      2%
    • Realistic and not magical
      2%

    After College

    Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
    $89,700/ year
    National
    $33,028
    Graduation Rate
    96%
    National
    49%
    Employed 2 Years After Graduation
    89%
    National
    83%
    95%
    of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.37 responses
    Colleges like Harvard University
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    Harvard University Reviews

    684 reviews
    All Categories
    I just finished my first year at Harvard. I had a rocky transition at first, but I am really loving it! The professors and TFs I have had are all really friendly and accessible, and there is an endless list of classes that I want to take. Conversations with peers are really thought-provoking and deep. You can find so many great communities through different activities, and there are so many great people on campus. Even as a freshman, I have been offered so many unique opportunities that I know come from Harvard's resources. I never thought it could, but Harvard has really become my home this year.
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    Harvard is a place where education is approached from a different perspective as the university values learning and curiosity more than recognition. Students at Harvard are so genuinely passionate about learning that they're able to achieve a level of thinking that not many people can achieve, which is metacognition: thinking about your thinking or learning process. The interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, as well as the passionate friends I have made, have allowed me to unleash my curiosity and creativity. Harvard is not only a school for intellects, it is a school for passionate people. People work hard, are determined, and believe in what they do. The most beautiful aspect about Harvard is the fact that hierarchy is not relevant. Professors do not brag about their awards and degrees, graduate and undergraduate students work together, and everyone is open to help each other. Harvard is a beautiful and intellectually stimulating place to study.
    Harvard University is a great campus that's dedicated to teaching students how to change the world. Their general facilities, professors, and students, make it very easy to get connected with some of the best minds in the world. Harvard is a university that is truly top tier and the students who attend Harvard are some of the most dedicated and hard working individuals in this world. In addition, other living aspects of the college like the campus and extracurricular events like recreational sports, study groups, and organized parties are extremely fun and engaging. These events make it extremely easy to get plugged in and make lasting social relations.