Harvard University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 01/2025)

Total Cost of Attendance

Harvard University is known for being one of the oldest (if not the oldest) institutions of higher learning in the United States. Harvard’s tuition and required fees for the 2023-2024 academic year were $59,076, which is significantly above the national average for four-year private nonprofit institutions of $41,540, according to CollegeData.com. A high number of students receive student loans or scholarships to cover this cost.

Financial Aid

Based on the data from the 2023-24 academic year, 72% of Harvard University’s first-time, full-time undergraduates received financial aid. It’s important to note that Harvard practices need-blind admissions, meaning financial need is not considered during the application process. This ensures that students from all income backgrounds have an equal opportunity to be accepted.

Explore financial aid options: Massachusetts Student Loan & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

Based on the data from the 2023-24 academic year, 4% of Harvard University’s first-time, full-time undergraduates have federal student loans. The average amount of federal loans among these students is $5,101.

Private college loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based, or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

Based on the 2023-24 academic year, the estimated total cost of attendance for on-campus students at Harvard University is $86,705 per year. This includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other on-campus expenses. Over four years, this would amount to approximately $346,820. In comparison, the average cost for private school tuition and room and board in the U.S. is $60,420 a year (for 2023-24), according to CollegeData.com, totaling $241,680 for four years.

This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

Recommended: What is Considered Full Time Student

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

The total cost of attendance at Harvard University for the 2023-2024 academic year is $86,794. This is significantly higher than the average cost of attendance for four-year private nonprofit institutions in the U.S., which is $60,420. However, it’s important to remember that Harvard offers generous financial aid packages to a large percentage of its students.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

The tuition for graduate school at Harvard for the 2023-2024 academic year is $55,440 for tuition and fees. The average cost for tuition for graduate school in 2023-24 at a private institution in the U.S. was $43,980. Many students at Harvard opt for graduate loans to help cover their costs.

💡 Quick Tip: Graduate student loans can help cover tuition, fees, and other education-related expenses.

Cost per Credit Hour

The tuition for full-time students in Harvard College is $54,032 per year. Typically, full-time students take 4 courses per semester, which translates to 32 credits per year. If we divide the total tuition by the number of credits, we get an approximate cost of $1,689 per credit hour, plus fees.

For visiting undergraduate students, the cost per credit for 2024-2025 is $3,534. The cost for one to three courses is $14,138 per course. There is an additional student services fee of $1,767.

Campus Housing Expenses

In addition to Harvard University tuition, room and board is the next highest expense. View our student loans guide for help paying for it.

There are 17 freshman dorms and 12 Houses for upper-level students. Freshmen generally live in suites with a common room and two to four bedrooms. Roommates are chosen by the university. Upperclass students are assigned to one of Harvard’s historic Houses, each of which serves as a residence to 350-500 students.

Only a small percentage of students choose to live off-campus, and there are many apartments and homes for rent near campus. Harvard has partnered with private landlords and real estate agents to provide affordable housing to students. The average price for a studio in Cambridge is $2,000, though many are even higher. Keep in mind that leases may be for a full year, not a school year.

Campus Housing Expenses

While tuition is a significant expense at Harvard, room and board contribute substantially to the overall cost of attendance.

On-campus housing provides various options, from traditional dorms for freshmen to historic Houses for upperclass students. While the exact cost varies depending on the specific room and meal plan chosen, it generally ranges from $18,000 to $22,000 per academic year.

Off-campus housing is also an option, with average rent for a studio apartment in Cambridge around $2,000 per month, according to Harvard’s off-campus housing website. However, many apartments are priced even higher. Students considering off-campus housing should factor in additional expenses like utilities, groceries, and transportation.

It’s important to note that these are estimates, and actual costs may vary. For the most up-to-date and precise information on campus housing expenses, prospective students should refer to official Harvard University resources and contact the Housing Office directly.

[Explore off-campus living options at Harvard Off-Campus Housing.]

Harvard Acceptance Rate

With just 3% of applicants accepted, the Harvard acceptance rate is extremely competitive.

Admission Requirements

To be accepted as a student at Harvard, there are certain considerations you must meet. Some, like secondary school record, recommendations, and admission test scores, are required, while others, including secondary school GPA and school rank, are recommended. There is no required minimum GPA to qualify.

Required:

•  Secondary school record

•  Recommendations

•  Personal statement or essay

Recommended:

•  Secondary school GPA

•  Secondary school rank

•  Admission test scores

The deadline to apply as a Restrictive Early Action candidate for the following school year is November 1. You will receive notification by mid-December. The deadline for Regular Decision candidates is January 1, with notification sent by the end of March. You can apply here.

SAT and ACT Scores

Harvard no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for classes of 2027-2030. Students who do not submit test scores will be considered equally for admissions as those who do.

Although there are no required test scores for admissions, here are the scores by subject at the 25th and 75th percentile:

Popular Majors at Harvard

Harvard offers 50 areas of concentration for students to study, and 49 secondary fields. Here are a few of the most popular majors offered.

1. Economics

Harvard’s economics major provides background in social systems including markets, corporations, legislatures, and families.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 254

2. Computer Science

Another of the most popular areas of concentration, the computer science program teaches students to design and code correct solutions to problems, design and reason about algorithms, and develop and analyze the ways computation interacts with other systems.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 165

3. Government

If politics and critical thinking appeal to you, you may be interested in Harvard’s government major. Students learn to analyze arguments, write, and speak persuasively.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 144

4. Applied Mathematics

Students get a broad education in mathematical sciences, including computation and probability, especially in subjects proven vital to an understanding of problems arising in other disciplines.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 120

5. History

Students study politics and government, gender and sexuality, diplomacy and international relations, finance and economics, religion and philosophy, literature and the arts, cultural and social changes and exchanges, archeology, anthropology, and science and technology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 98

6. Neuroscience

Students majoring in Neuroscience will learn about cells and circuits, physiology, learning and memory, cognitive science, development, genetics, computational modeling, and disease and therapeutics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 94

7. Psychology

Harvard’s psychology program teaches students to understand the human mind, as well as critically assess data and speak and write about topics concerning the mind.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 91

8. Human Evolutionary Biology (HEB)

HEB is one of nine Life Sciences concentrations offered at Harvard that focus on understanding living systems. Students use an evolutionary lens to focus on questions concerning human behavior, physiology, and anatomy.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 59

Find out about all the fields of study Harvard has to offer here.

Graduation Rate

The Harvard graduation rate is high. Here is the graduation rate of students who began their studies in fall 2017: 97%.

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Curious how much money you could make after graduating from Harvard? Median earnings after graduation are $102,000, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. In contrast, the overall average for the class of 2024 is $68,516.