Harvard University, founded in 1636, is the oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it stands as a global leader in higher education, research, and innovation.
Home to world-renowned schools — including Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — the university combines academic rigor with a mission to create knowledge that shapes the world.
Harvard’s reputation is built on centuries of excellence, a distinguished faculty, and alumni who have become world leaders, Nobel laureates, and innovators across every field.
About Harvard University
Established: 1636Harvard’s 13 schools and institutes offer more than 3,700 courses and 50 undergraduate concentrations, alongside advanced graduate and professional degrees. Its vast library system — the largest academic library in the world — holds over 20 million volumes.
Harvard University Rankings (2025)
| Ranking Agency | Rank |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #4 Global |
| Times Higher Education | #3 Global |
| U.S. News & World Report (National) | #2 in the U.S. |
| Best Global Universities | #1 in the World (Research Output) |
Harvard’s dominance in global rankings reflects its excellence in business, law, medicine, science, and technology, along with its unmatched research infrastructure.
Harvard University Admission Requirements
Undergraduate Admissions
Acceptance Rate: ~3.5 % (highly selective)ACT: 33–36 (optional)
Required Documents:
- Common Application or Coalition Application
- Harvard-specific supplement & essays
- Two teacher evaluations + counselor recommendation
- Transcripts & mid-year report
- English proficiency (TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo English Test) for international applicants
Graduate Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum GPA 3.0–3.5)
- GRE / GMAT / LSAT / MCAT (program-specific)
- Résumé or CV
- Statement of purpose and writing samples
- Letters of recommendation
Transfer Admissions:
Harvard accepts limited transfers each year (≈ 1 % rate). Applicants must complete at least one year of full-time college coursework before applying.
Harvard University Tuition & Fees (2025)
| Program | Tuition (USD per year) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate (Harvard College) | $59,800 |
| Graduate (Average) | $52,000–$65,000 |
| MBA (Harvard Business School) | $74,910 |
| Executive MBA (PLD / AMP / OPM) | $98,000–$130,000 |
| PhD & Doctoral Programs | Fully Funded (stipend + tuition waiver) |
| MPH / Public Health | $70,000 |
| MPA (Kennedy School) | $63,000 |
| MS in Data Science | $60,000 |
Living Expenses (Estimated):
- Housing & Meals: $22,000
- Books & Supplies: $1,200
- Health Insurance: $4,000
Financial Aid:
Harvard provides need-based aid — over 55 % of undergraduates receive scholarships. Families earning below $85,000 pay no tuition, and graduate fellowships cover many research programs.
Harvard Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Veterans Benefits
- Harvard College Financial Aid Office assesses need without merit criteria.
- FAFSA + CSS Profile required for U.S. students.
- Harvard Kennedy School Fellowships for MPA / MPP students.
- Harvard Veterans Initiative: full Yellow Ribbon Program coverage for eligible veterans.
Scholarships are also available for international students through the Harvard International Office and external sponsors like Fulbright.
Harvard Business School (HBS)
MBA Program
- Duration: 2 years (full-time)
- GMAT/GRE required (average GMAT ≈ 730)
- Class Profile: ~900 students from 70 countries
- Core Areas: Finance, Strategy, Leadership, Entrepreneurship
- Average Tuition: $74,910/year
Executive MBA Options
- PLD (Program for Leadership Development) – $52,000
- AMP (Advanced Management Program) – $82,000
- OPM (Owner/President Management Program) – $115,000
Online MBA / Certificates:
Offered through Harvard Business School Online (HBS Online). Popular credentials: Business Analytics, CORe (Credential of Readiness), Entrepreneurship Essentials.
Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)
Renowned for public leadership and policy.
Degrees Offered:
- Master in Public Administration (MPA)
- Master in Public Policy (MPP)
- Executive MPA (EMPA)
- PhD in Public Policy and Political Economy
Key Facts
- Tuition: $63,000 per year
- Duration: 2 years (full-time)
- Core Focus: Economics, Governance, Leadership, International Development
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Programs:
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
- MS in Epidemiology, Nutrition, and Global Health
Admission:
Requires a bachelor’s degree, GRE (optional), and health-related work experience.
Duration: 1–2 years
Average Tuition: $70,000 per year
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Programs:
- Master’s in Education (M.Ed.)
- Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.)
- PhD in Education
Concentrations: Learning Design, Policy, Higher Education Management
Online Options: Hybrid M.Ed. and Ed.L.D. Leadership Cohorts
Harvard Law School (HLS)
- Degrees: JD, LLM, SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science)
- Acceptance Rate: ≈ 10 %
- Tuition: $74,500 per year
- Specializations: Corporate Law, Human Rights, Technology Law
Harvard Medical School (HMS)
Harvard Medical School is one of the world’s premier medical institutions.
Programs:
- MD (4 years)
- PhD in Biomedical Sciences
- Master in Clinical Investigation, Bioethics, and Medical Education
- MPH with the Harvard Chan School
Tuition: $68,000 per year
Average MCAT: 519
Harvard PhD and Doctoral Programs
Harvard offers doctoral training in 60 + fields.
Examples:
- PhD in Clinical Psychology
- PhD in Data Science
- PhD in Education
- PhD in Public Health or DrPH
- PhD in Management (Business Economics)
Funding: 100 % for admitted students (tuition + stipend ≈ $43,000 / year).
Online Doctoral Programs: Harvard Extension School & HBS Online offer non-residential doctorate-level learning tracks in education, leadership, and management.
Harvard MS in Data Science & Cybersecurity Programs
MS in Data Science
- Offered by Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).
- Duration: 18 months – 2 years.
- Focus: Machine Learning, AI, Big Data Analytics.
- Tuition: $60,000.
- Online Option: Harvard Data Science Certificate (Extension School).
Cybersecurity Certificate / Master’s
- Courses in AI Security, Network Defense, Risk Management.
- Delivered via Harvard Extension School.
- Duration: 9–12 months (certificate) / 2 years (master’s).
Harvard Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS)
Home to most PhD and Master’s programs in sciences and humanities.
Popular Fields:
- Statistics (MS)
- Software Engineering (MS)
- Psychology (MA / PhD)
- Music (MM / DMA)
- Economics and Sociology
Master’s Duration: 1–2 years | Tuition: ≈ $52,000
Harvard Business School Executive Education
Programs for Leaders and Executives:
- Advanced Management Program (AMP)
- General Management Program (GMP)
- Owner / President Management (OPM)
- Leadership Development Program (LDP)
Duration: 4 weeks to 9 months (modular)
Tuition: $60,000–$130,000
These programs focus on strategic leadership and innovation for executives from global organizations.
Harvard University Online Programs
Through Harvard Extension School (HES) and Harvard Online Learning, students can earn credit or full degrees remotely.
Online Degrees & Certificates:
- Bachelor of Liberal Arts (Extension School)
- Master’s in Management, Data Science, Finance
- Graduate Certificate in AI and Cybersecurity
- Online MBA Modules (HBS Online)
Tuition: $1,980 – $2,900 per course.
Research and Innovation at Harvard
Harvard spends over $1.2 billion annually on research in:
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Public Health & Epidemiology
- Climate Science & Sustainability
- Neuroscience & Genomics
Research Centers: Harvard Innovation Labs (i-Labs), Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, and Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
Student Life and Campus Culture
- 400 + student organizations
- 42 varsity sports teams (Crimson)
- Harvard Art Museums, libraries, and labs open to all students.
- Services for veterans, international students, and students with disabilities.
Zipcar Partnership: Students can rent eco-friendly vehicles on campus.
Donations and Alumni Network
Harvard maintains one of the largest endowments in the world (≈ $53 billion in 2025).
Donations support research innovation and student scholarships.
Alumni Highlights: 8 U.S. Presidents, 161 Nobel Laureates, and numerous Fortune 500 CEOs.
Students can donate through the Harvard Giving portal to support scholarship funds and research initiatives.
Why Choose Harvard University?
Ivy League prestige and academic excellence
Top ranked in business, law, and health sciences
World-class faculty and research facilities
Full funding for PhD students
Global alumni network spanning 190 countries
Harvard combines intellectual curiosity with real-world impact — a university where ambition meets purpose.
Harvard University Contact Information
Harvard University
Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
📞 +1 617-495-1000
🌐 www.harvard.edu
✉️ admissions@harvard.edu
FAQs About Harvard University
Q1. What GPA is required for Harvard?
A GPA of 3.9 or above is recommended for competitive applicants.
Q2. Does Harvard offer online degrees?
Yes, through Harvard Extension School and Harvard Business School Online.
Q3. How much is Harvard tuition per year?
Undergraduate tuition ≈ $59,800; graduate programs $52,000 – $75,000.
Q4. Is Harvard PhD funded?
Yes, all PhD students receive full tuition coverage and stipends.
Q5. Does Harvard offer an MPH or MPA program?
Yes — Harvard T.H. Chan School offers MPH; Harvard Kennedy School offers MPA.
Q6. What is the Harvard Executive Leadership Program?
A short-term program at HBS focusing on strategic management and leadership skills.
Q7. Can you transfer to Harvard?
Yes, but transfer admission is extremely competitive (≈ 1 %).
