Harvard University: Acceptance Rate, Rankings, Courses, Fees & Scholarships
Table of Contents
Harvard University is a school of excellence in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. This privately-owned non-provide institute was established in 1636 and is the oldest university on American soil. The University comprises of 3 campuses and 13 schools offering quality education with top-notch research facilities. What makes Harvard special is that its researchers and students are consistently engaged in making lives better. Let’s jump in and learn all about Harvard University and how it can help students shape a better future for all humankind.
Highlights Table
University | Harvard University |
Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
QS Ranking 2025 | #4 |
Acceptance Rate | 3.2% |
Popular Courses | Data Science Neuroscience Healthcare Economics Computer Science Legal Studies Writing and Public Speaking |
Annual Tuition Fee | $56,550 |
Campus | Cambridge Allston Boston |
Popular Alumni | Mark Zuckerburg Bill Gates Natlie Portman Matt Damon Tommy Lee Jones T.S. Elliot |
Official Website | https://www.harvard.edu/ |
Harvard University Acceptance Rate
Harvard University has an acceptance rate of only 3.2%, making the admission process very selective. One someone with an exceptional academic record, strong extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, and impactful personal qualities is admitted to Harvard.
The reason for such low acceptance rate at Harvard is that it looks for unique qualities like intellectual curiosity, resilience, creativity, and a genuine passion for the subject. Harvard’s acceptance rate is the third lowest in the world after Minerva University and California Institute of Technology.
Harvard University Rankings
Harvard has been consistently ranked among the top 5 universities in the world by popular ranking organizations like QS, Times Higher Education (THE), US News, Forbes, etc. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, Harvard University is ranked #4 in the world. The table below highlights Harvard University’s 2025 ranking by all these organizations.
Organizations | Rankings |
QS World University | #4 |
Times Higher Education (THE) | #4 |
US News | #3 |
Academics Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) – Shanghai Rankings | #1 |
Forbes – America’s Top Colleges | #8 |
Harvard University Admission Process
Harvard’s admission process is not just about choosing applicants with top grades. The admission process goes beyond academic records. Only those who stand out for their ability to inspire, lead, and are determined to bring a positive change in the world are potential students at Harvard.
Domestic and international applicants can follow the below-listed steps to complete Harvard University’s application process:
- Start your Harvard Application process by completing the Common Application form at https://www.commonapp.org/ or https://app.scoir.com/app/signup/2100353.
- The Common Application form will include subsets of questions, an activities list, and a personal essay.
- Harvard College Questions for the Common Application or Coalition Application will consist of five short-answer questions.
- Pay the application fee, which is $85, or request a fee waiver.
- Submit your SAT/ ACT scores. Applicants with exceptional cases can submit their AP exam results/ IB Actual or Predicted Scores/ GCSE/A-Level Actual or Predicted Results/ National Leaving Exams Results or Predictions.
- School Report, including a counselor letter, and high school transcript.
- 2 teacher recommendations
- Mid-year School Report (after first semester grades)
- Final School Report (for admitted students only)
Harvard University Top Courses
Harvard is globally recognized for its distinctive courses and teaching style. Harvard offers over 3,700 courses across 50 undergraduate fields, designed for students with exceptional skills and commitment. Its professors and teaching staff are the leaders in their respective fields and are determined to pass on their unique skills to the following generation. Here are the top 10 courses at Harvard University along with their requirements and duration.
Courses | Specifications | Duration |
Bachelor of Arts | History and Science Integrative Biology Music Earth and Planetary Science Social Studies Statistics | 4 years |
Bachelor of Science | Bioengineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Environmental Science and Engineering | 4 years |
Bachelor of Liberal Arts | Legal Studies Journalism Computer Science Studio Arts and Film | 4 years |
Master of Arts | Government History International Relations South Asian Studies | 2 years |
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | Neuroscience Psychology Religion Romance Languages and Literature Germanic Languages and Literatures | 5 years |
Harvard University Tuition Fee
Every Harvard aspirant must have prior knowledge of the revised tuition fees. The revised tuition fees of Harvard College, Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are listed below.
Harvard College Fees 2025-26
The table below highlights the Harvard College Fees for 2025-26.
Harvard College Tuition Rates | Academic Year 2025-26 |
Tuition Fee | $56,550 |
Health Services | $1,592 |
Housing Rate | $12,922 |
Student Services | $3,534 |
Food Rate | $8,268 |
Total | $82,866 |
Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Fees 2025-26
The table below highlights the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences fees for 2025-26.
GSAS Standard Tuition Fees | Academic Year 2025-26 |
Annual Tuition Fee | $55,656 |
Reduced Tuition Fee | $14,470 |
Annual Continuation Fee | $3,682 |
Graduate Student Council | $35 |
4 Course Rate (Term) | $27,828 |
3 Course Rate (Term) | $20,871 |
2 Course Rate (Term) | $13,914 |
1 Course Rate (Term) | $6,957 |
Annual Student Health Fee (SHF) | $1,408 |
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) Fees 2025-26
The table below highlights the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) fees for 2025-26.
SEAS CSE Master | Academic Year 2025-26 |
Tuition (G1) | $63,624 |
Tuition (G2) | $31,812 |
4 Course Rate (Term) | $31,812 |
3 Course Rate (Term) | $23,859 |
2 Course Rate (Term) | $15,906 |
1 Course Rate (Term) | $7,953 |
Conclusion
Harvard University is a leading research institute in the world. It offers over 3700 courses in multiple subjects, is globally recognized for its unique teaching style by some of the best professors in the world. Harvard does have a low acceptance rate due to which only the best of the best is admitted to their respective fields of study. In short, Harvard is the best place to learn and grow. It’s a place where talent and hard work are combined to create something unique to build a better tomorrow.