University

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Verified · last verified 2026-09-02

University details

Harvard University is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was founded on October 28, 1636, as the first college in the American colonies. Its undergraduate school is Harvard College. The university comprises 15 schools, including Harvard College along with graduate and professional schools in fields such as business, law, medicine, government, divinity, engineering and applied sciences, design, education, and public health. It is governed through the Office of the President, the Deans and Officers, the Harvard Corporation, and the Board of Overseers. According to the university, it serves 24,519 undergraduate and graduate students and has more than 400,000 alumni worldwide.

Institution type: Private, nonprofit
Campus setting: Urban
Application platforms: Common App
Testing policy: Test required (2025–2026)
In-state tuition: $61,676
Out-of-state tuition: $61,676
Cost of attendance: Not available (2024–2025)
Undergraduate enrollment: 7,601

Website Admissions Financial aid

Common Data Set

Institution-reported facts by reporting cycle. Missing and withheld values are shown explicitly.

2024–2025 · most recent available

First-year admission rate

3.6%

Calculated from applications and admissions reported in CDS C1. This is a factual calculation, not a CollegePath rating.

Enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment (B1): 7,038 students
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 7,033 students
Part-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 5 students

First-year admission

Majors

African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Applied Mathematics
Mathematics and Statistics
Archeology
Social Sciences
Area Studies
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Physical Sciences
Behavioral Sciences
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General
Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Deadlines

Restrictive early action · 2026–2027
2026-11-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Regular decision · 2026–2027
2027-01-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

View deadlines from earlier years

2025–2026

Restrictive early action · 2025–2026
2025-11-01 — Restrictive Early Action (single-choice early action). Application due at 11:59pm (applicant's local time). Candidates are notified by mid-December.

Supplemental essays

How many responses?

5 short-answer questions

Harvard requires five Harvard Questions, each with a 150-word limit.

2026–2027

Required · Harvard Questions for the Common Application
Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.
Limit: 150 words — Required Harvard short answer.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Required · Harvard Questions for the Common Application
Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a student body with a diversity of perspectives and experiences. How will the life experiences that shaped who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
Limit: 150 words — Required Harvard short answer.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements

Application requirements

2026–2027

Application fee · Required
Value: $95
First-year U.S. application fee listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Fee waiver · Optional
Value: Accepted
Common App fee-waiver availability listed in the 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Personal essay · Required
The Common App personal essay is marked required in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Supplemental essays · Required

Sources

Direct sources supporting this university’s facts, with retrieval dates.

Official source · supports supplemental_essays:2026–2027
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Retrieved 2026-09-03 — Official Harvard College five required short-answer questions and 150-word limits.
Secondary source · supports requirements:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Common App member-reported first-year fee, waiver, and personal-essay fields; grid updated 2026-08-28.
Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid · supports deadlines:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-08-20 — Common App member-reported first-year deadlines; grid updated 2026-08-14.
Official source · supports financial_aid_url

First-year applications (C1)

First-year students admitted (C1)

1,970 students

First-year students enrolled (C1)

1,647 students

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 4.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.75-3.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.50-3.74 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.25-3.49 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.00-3.24 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.50-2.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.00-2.49 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 1.00-1.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA below 1.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

Average high-school GPA (C12)

Not reported by institution

Testing

Enrolled students submitting scores · SAT (C9): 54%
Enrolled students submitting scores · ACT (C9): 19%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 25th percentile (C9): 740 score
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 75th percentile (C9): 780 score
SAT Math · 25th percentile (C9): 770 score
SAT Math · 75th percentile (C9): 800 score
ACT Composite · 25th percentile (C9): 34 score
ACT Composite · 75th percentile (C9): 36 score

Cost

Tuition (G1): $59,320; The 2024-2025 CDS reports this as the 2025-2026 academic-year amount.
Required fees (G1): $5,476; The 2024-2025 CDS reports this as the 2025-2026 academic-year amount.
Housing and food (G1): $22,130; The 2024-2025 CDS reports this as the 2025-2026 academic-year amount.

Retention and graduation

First-year retention rate · Fall 2023 entering cohort retained in Fall 2024 (B22): 98%
Graduation rate · Six-year graduation rate, Fall 2018 cohort (B27): 98%

Academics and class size

Student-to-faculty ratio (I2): 7:1

Source: Harvard University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Retrieved 2026-08-29

Open the official institutional source

Document ID: sha256:b773e6bedc205fda901495dcac3896e411e4c09e7f32929c6db936d83dc96cd1 · Import: cds-2026-08-v2

Biomedical/Medical Engineering

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Business/Corporate Communications

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Celtic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Chemistry

Physical Sciences

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Computer Science

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

Visual and Performing Arts

East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Economics

Social Sciences

Education, General

Education

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering

Engineering

Engineering Science

Engineering

English Language and Literature, General

English Language and Literature/Letters

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Film/Video and Photographic Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Fine and Studio Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Physical Sciences

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Human Resources Management and Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations

Military Technologies and Applied Sciences

Leisure and Recreational Activities

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Marketing

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Microbiological Sciences and Immunology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Music

Visual and Performing Arts

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources and Conservation

Natural Sciences

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Philosophy

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Physics

Physical Sciences

Political Science and Government

Social Sciences

Psychology, General

Psychology

Public Health

Health Professions and Related Programs

Religion/Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Research and Experimental Psychology

Psychology

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Social Sciences, General

Social Sciences

Sociology

Social Sciences

South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Statistics

Mathematics and Statistics

Sustainability Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Theological and Ministerial Studies

Theology and Religious Vocations

Turkic, Uralic-Altaic, Caucasian, and Central Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Visual and Performing Arts, General

Visual and Performing Arts

Financial aid · 2025–2026

2025-11-01 — Financial aid application (2026-2027 CSS Profile, FAFSA, and IDOC documents) due for Restrictive Early Action applicants. Additional financial_aid date(s) for this cycle: 2026-02-01 (Financial aid application (2026-2027 CSS Profile, FAFSA, and IDOC documents) due for Regular Decision applicants.).

https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/apply-financial-aid/prospective-students

Regular decision · 2025–2026

2026-01-01 — Regular Decision. Application due at 11:59pm (applicant's local time). Candidates are notified by the end of March.

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/first-year-applicants

Required · Harvard Questions for the Common Application

Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience?

Limit: 150 words — Required Harvard short answer.

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements

Required · Harvard Questions for the Common Application

Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.

Limit: 150 words — Required Harvard short answer.

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements

Required · Harvard Questions for the Common Application

How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?

Limit: 150 words — Required Harvard short answer.

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements

View supplemental prompts from earlier years

2025–2026

Required · All first-year applicants
Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a student body with a diversity of perspectives and experiences. How will the life experiences that shaped who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
Limit: 150 words — One of five required Harvard-specific short-answer questions, each with a 150-word limit.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Required · All first-year applicants
Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience?
Limit: 150 words — One of five required Harvard-specific short-answer questions, each with a 150-word limit.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Required · All first-year applicants
Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.
Limit: 150 words — One of five required Harvard-specific short-answer questions, each with a 150-word limit.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Required · All first-year applicants
How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
Limit: 150 words — One of five required Harvard-specific short-answer questions, each with a 150-word limit.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Required · All first-year applicants
Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.
Limit: 150 words — One of five required Harvard-specific short-answer questions, each with a 150-word limit.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements

Value: 5 short-answer questions

Harvard requires five Harvard Questions, each with a 150-word limit.

2025–2026

Application fee · Required
Value: 90
"The $90 admissions application processing fee can be paid online through the Common Application website."
https://college.harvard.edu/resources/faq/how-do-i-pay-my-admissions-application-fee
Fee waiver · Optional
"If the admissions application fee presents a hardship for you or your family and you plan on applying for financial aid, the fee will be waived." Requested through the Common Application by confirming an indicator of economic need.
https://college.harvard.edu/resources/faq/paying-admissions-application-fee-hardship-my-family-can-i-get-waiver
Teacher evaluations · Required
Value: 2
"Ask two teachers in different academic subjects who know you well to complete the Teacher Recommendation forms."
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Counselor recommendation · Required
A secondary school report submitted by the school counselor or another school leader, which includes a recommendation letter.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Personal essay · Required
Common Application personal essay, submitted as part of the Common Application.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Supplemental essays · Required
Value: 5
Five required Harvard-specific short-answer questions, each with a 150-word limit.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Secondary school report · Required
Secondary school report submitted by the school counselor or another school leader, including the transcript and school profile.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Midyear report · Required
"The midyear school report is required" and must be completed by the school counselor or other school official.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
CSS Profile · Required
Financial-aid applicants file the 2026-2027 CSS Profile via the College Board.
https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/apply-financial-aid/prospective-students
FAFSA · Required
U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying for financial aid file the 2026-2027 FAFSA.
https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/apply-financial-aid/prospective-students
Other · Required
Financial-aid applicants submit tax and other documents through the College Board IDOC Service.
https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/apply-financial-aid/prospective-students

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports application_platforms

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports testing_policy

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/first-year-applicants

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/apply-financial-aid/prospective-students

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://college.harvard.edu/resources/faq/how-do-i-pay-my-admissions-application-fee

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/apply-financial-aid/prospective-students

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports essay_prompts

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports description

https://www.harvard.edu/about/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports admissions_url

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?166027

Retrieved 2026-06-10