Harvard University was founded in the year 1636. Currently, the university is the oldest existing private university in the US. The nickname of Harvard University is “Crimson”. Harvard University admissions can be considered by candidates in three address; Cambridge, Allston, and Boston. It is one of the Ivy League Universities in USA. According to QS World University Rankings 2024, the university ranks in the 4th position in comparison to other colleges in the US. The university recorded a total enrollment of 25,266 students for the 2024 academic year. For Harvard University average GPA required is 4.18. The minimum IELTS score required is 7.0 to be eligible to apply for admission. Harvard University acceptance rate for admission is 3.5%. Candidates can choose and enroll in 90 undergraduate degrees and 150 graduate degree courses based on their preferences. Harvard University cost ranges from USD 54,269–61,768 (INR 45,02,585 – 51,24,761).

Being one of the top universities in the world, Harvard holds a high employment rate of 95%. The average salary of Harvard University graduates attaining jobs in USA is USD 96,000 (INR 79,64,918). Amazon, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, New York Police department, The MITRE Corporation, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc are sone of the top recruiters that hire the most Harvard graduates. However, you must keep in mind that placements ultimately depen upon a particular year and your performance in academics and interviews.
Harvard University Rankings
Ranking Harvard University is done by different agencies as one of the top universities in USA. The top ranking bodies include QS, US News and World Report, Times, etc. It is suggested that you must check the recent university rankings before applying. Here listed below the Harvard University ranking by different agencies:

Harvard University Acceptance Rate
The are a lot of US Universities with high acceptance rate for international students. However, admission in this university is highly selective. The acceptance rate at Harvard University 3.5%. The average class size of Harvard University is around 12. Here given below the Harvard University admission statistics:
- Total number of applicants: 56,937
- Admitted students: 1,966
- Admitted from the waiting list: 27
- Total graduate and undergraduate students: 25,266
Harvard University Courses and Fees
Candidates can opt for Harvard University free online courses or other full-time masters and bachelor courses to attain the benefits of studying in USA. The academic programs and degrees include online business certificate courses. Other courses in Harvard University campus includes law, medical, engineering, computer science, etc. Harvard University fees for Indian students varies as per different programs. Applicant must check the Harvard University MBA fees and other courses fees before applying. The table below provides Harvard University courses and fees for popular programs:
| Programs | Total Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science [B.S], Physics | USD 54,269 (INR 45,02,864) |
| Master of Law [L.L.M] | USD 73,600 (INR 61,06,868) |
| Master of Public Administration [M.P.A] | USD 57,660 (INR 47,84,266) |
| Master of Science [M.S], Biostatistics | USD 52,272 (INR 43,37,204) |
| Master of Science [M.S], Biomedical Informatics | USD 54,032 (INR 44,83,238) |
| Master of Science [M.S], Data Science | USD 61,768 (INR 51,25,123) |
| Master of Science [M.S], Applied Computational | USD 61,768 (INR 51,25,123) |
| Master of Science [M.S], Computational Science and Engineering | USD 61,768 (INR 51,25,123) |
| Bachelor of Science [B.S], Mechanical Engineering | USD 54,269 (INR 45,02,864) |
| Master of Architecture [M.Arch] | USD 57,200 (INR 47,46,121) |
| Bachelor of Science [B.S], Neurobiology | USD 54,269 (INR 45,02,864) |
| Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] | USD 74,910 (INR 62,15,594) |
Note: USD 1 = INR 82.88 as on 1st March, 2024

Harvard University Application Deadline
Applicants must complete the admission within the application deadlines for USA top universities.The application deadline for Harvard University varies according to the level of study you are applying for. The popular undergraduate majors at Harvard include Economics, Computer Science, Government, and History, etc. It is recommended that you must submit you required program specific documents along with your application form within the admission deadline. The below given table shows the important Harvard University application deadlines for 2024:
| Type of Programs | Deadlines 2024 |
| Undergraduate Programs | January 1 and March 1 |
| Graduate Programs | December 1 of previous year |
| MBA Programs | June 3 and April 25 |
Harvard University Application Process
Candidates must check the Harvard University fees for courses and admission requirements before applying. The policy on transfer students at Harvard University allows transfer in a maximum of 16 semester-long courses.To apply for Harvard University course, candidates need to follow specific admission process. Here, given below a step-by-step guide to apply in the intakes in USA at the Harvard University:
- Fill out the Common Application or Coalition Form
- Appear for Assessment devised by Harvard University
- Harvard University application fee of 85 USD (INR 6974.864) is to be submitted
- SAT and ACT scores are accepted (excluding and including writing)
- AP examination scores are also accepted.
Harvard University Admission Documents Required
The admission documents required may may according to the level of study you are applying for. The key admission requirements for undergraduate programs and graduate programs at Harvard also include proper immigration documents such as passport, US student visa are important documents for attaining Harvard courses. Candidates applying admissions need to ensure the below-mentioned documents:
- School Report (which includes a counselor letter) and high school transcript
- Teacher Report (2)
- Midyear School Report (after your first semester grades)
- Final School Report (for admitted students only)
- Statement of Purpose
- College/Dean’s/Registrar’s report
- Official College Transcript
- Letter of Recommendations (2)
- Official High School Transcripts
Harvard University Exam Requirements
Candidates must attain certain exams to study in USA. There specific standardized tests required for admission, such as the SAT or ACT. You must present the official scores along with your application form to the university. The table below highlights the admission requirements for Harvard University in bachelor and masters courses:
| Exam | Minimum Scores Required |
|---|---|
| SAT | 1480-1580 |
| ACT | 33-36 |
| GMAT | 540-790 |
| GRE | 147-170 (Verbal), 150-170 (Quant) |
Harvard University ELP Score Requirements
As an international student, you are also required to submit certain scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, DET, etc. The scores may vary according to the program you are applying for. Make sure you do not submit scores which are more than 2 years old. The table below highlights English Language Proficiency Harvard University requirements for international students:
Harvard University Cost of Attendance
Harvard University location is in Cambridge, Massachusetts in USA. The housing situation for Harvard students depends upon the type of accommodation option you are choosing to stay. . Students must be aware of the living and cost of studying in USA to get into Harvard University. Here, given a detailed overview of Harvard University accommodation cost:

Harvard University Graduate Tuition Cost
The graduate tuition fees may vary according to the Harvard school you are applying for. The graduate schools include Arts & Sciences, Education, Design, Business, Law, etc. The annual fes range from USD 54,032 (INR 44,83,818) – USD 74,910 (INR 62,16,331) for admission to US universities . The table mentioned below highlights the average Harvard University tuition fees for graduate schools:
| Harvard University Graduate Schools | Annual Expense |
|---|---|
| Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | USD 54,032 (INR 44,83,818) |
| Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences | USD 61,768 (INR 51,25,756) |
| Harvard Graduate School of Education | USD 57,246 (INR 47,50,502) |
| Harvard Graduate School of Design | USD 57,200 (INR 47,46,685) |
| Harvard Medical School | USD 69,300 (INR 57,50,791) |
| Harvard Kennedy School | USD 57,660 (INR 47,84,857) |
| Harvard Business School | USD 74,910 (INR 62,16,331) |
| Harvard Law School | USD 73,600 (INR 61,07,217) |
Harvard University Extracurricular Activities
Harvard University provides an excellent campus for recreation and leisure activities of students. The campus has different student organizations, musical clubs, drama groups as well as media events. As an international student, you will know exactly what after studying in USA feels like at the Harvard campus. Below given are some notable student organizations of Harvard University:
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Media and journalism
- Public Service
- International and multicultural
- Drama and dance
Harvard University Diversity
The diversity in Harvard University includes students coming from different areas and parts of the world. Harvard support diversity and inclusion on campus is moreover supported by varied perspectives, interests, and identities of its members. You can also learn more about Harvard University diversity and inclusion report from the official website of the university. The male and female diversity attaining to study, travel and stay in USA in Harvard Univiersty is detailed below:


Harvard University Scholarships Offered
Harvard University offers various scholarships to study in USA like Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship, Need-Based Fellowships etc. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, past academic record and financial need basis. Candidates apply for these scholarships to afford the studying and living cost of Harvard University. The table below highlights to apply for Harvard University scholarships along with the grant details:
| Scholarships | Total Award Granted |
|---|---|
| Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship | USD 10,000 (INR 8,30,017) |
| Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship | 75% of tuition fees and covers travel and accommodation expenses |
| The Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship | USD 10,000 (INR 8,30,017) |
| HGSE Financial Aid | USD 20,500 (INR 17,01,535) for full-time students and USD 10,250 (INR 8,50,767) for part-time students |
Harvard University Notable Alumni
The famous alumni of Harvard University includes Mark Zuckerberg, Barack Obama, Albert A. Gore Jnr, etc. These alumni members also provide scholarships to study in USA to the deserving candidates. You can contact them via their contact details in the admissions office or through their social media handles. Alumni of Harvard University along with their professions are listed below:
- Mark Zuckerberg: Co-founder and CEO of Meta
- Barack Obama: 44th President of United States
- Albert A. Gore Jnr.: Former Vice President of the United States
- George W. Bush: 43rd US President
- Bill Gates: Co-founder of Microsoft
Harvard University Placement Opportunities
Harvard University is known for its excellent placement oppurtunities in various top reputed companies. Graduates attaining MBA in Harvard University placements have been mostly placed in Apple, Google, Facebook, Bain & Company, McKinsey, IBM, and Morgan Stanley. These companies provide several full time as well as part time jobs in USA for international students. Below given are the Harvard University placement statistics:
- Average salary of Harvard University jobs of MBA graduates- USD 175,000 (INR 1,45,24,615).
- Median Signing Bonus of MBA graduates (63% Receiving)- 30,000 USD (INR 24,89,934)
- Median Performance Bonus of MBA graduates (73% Receiving)- 40,000 USD (INR 33,19,912)
- 71% Sought Employment: 95% Received an Offer and 90% Accepted an Offer.
Harvard University Vs Oxford University Vs Standford University Vs MIT
We have given below a comparison table for your reference. The selection of these universities has been made due to its relatively similar rankings as well as acceptance rate of international students. The parameters chosen for this comparison includes ranking, acceptance rate, tuition fees, annual salary package, etc. The table below sites the comparism between Harvard University, Oxford University, Standford University and MIT:
| Particulars | Harvard University | Oxford University | Standford University | MIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #4 QS World University Rankings 2024 #1 QS WUR Ranking by Subject 2024 #5 Graduate Employability Ranking 2024 #20 QS Sustainability Ranking 2024 |
#3 QS World University Rankings 2024 #5 QS WUR Ranking by Subject 2024 #7 Graduate Employability Ranking 2024 #16 QS Sustainability Ranking 2024 |
#5 QS World University Rankings 2024 #4 QS WUR Ranking by Subject 2024 #2 Graduate Employability Ranking 2024 #26 QS Sustainability Ranking 2024 |
#1 QS World University Rankings 2024 #2 QS WUR Ranking by Subject 2024 #1 Graduate Employability Ranking 2024 #32 QS Sustainability Ranking 2024 |
| Acceptance Rate | 3.5% | 17.5% | 3.68% | 4.8% |
| Accepted Test Scores | IELTS: 7.0 TOEFL: 100 PTE: 70 DET score: 125 |
IELTS score: 7.0 TOEFL: 100 PTE: 66 |
IELTS: 7.0 TOEFL: 100 PTE : 68 |
IELTS: 7.0 TOEFL score: 100 |
| Annual Tuition Fees | USD 52,272–74,910 (INR 43,37,204 – 62,15,594) | GBP 33,050–48,620 (INR 33,23,435-48,89,467) | USD 78,328–1,38,640 (INR 65,18,296-1,15,37,336) | USD 59,750 (INR 49,72,768) |
| Placement (Average Package) | USD 96,000 (INR 79,64,909) | GBP 41,600 (INR 43,06,245) | USD 115,000 (INR 95,46,288) | USD 118,000 (INR 97,95,498) |
| Top Recruiters | Apple, Google, Facebook, Bain & Company, McKinsey, IBM, Morgan Stanley etc. | Goldman Sachs, Houlihan Lokey, McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, Amazon etc. | Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, American Express etc. | Apple, Google, Amazon, IBM, Disney, Goldman Sachs etc. |
Harvard University also offer specific online courses or programs to international candidates. To learn more about Harvard University, you can always visit their official website and enquire about the same to their helpline numbers available. Some some tips for aspiring students who want to attend Harvard University may include maintaining good academic grades, seuring a good score in the English Proficiency test scores.
FAQs
Ques. How can I apply to Harvard University?
Ans. To apply for Harvard University course, candidates need to follow specific admission process. You must fill out the Common Application or Coalition Form and appear for Assessment devised by Harvard University.
Ques. What are the key admission requirements for undergraduate programs at Harvard?
Ans. The key admission requirements for undergraduate programs and graduate programs at Harvard also include proper immigration documents such as passport, US student visa are important documents for attaining Harvard courses.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate at Harvard University?
Ans. Harvard University acceptance rate for admission is 3.5%. Candidates can choose and enroll in 90 undergraduate degrees and 150 graduate degree courses based on their preferences.
Ques. Are there specific standardized tests required for admission, such as the SAT or ACT?
Ans. There specific standardized tests required for admission, such as the SAT or ACT. You must present the official scores along with your application form to the university. These scores are required for your undergraduate admissions.
Ques. Is financial aid available for undergraduate students, and how can I apply for it?
Ans. Harvard University offers various scholarships to study in USA like Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship, Need-Based Fellowships etc. Candidates apply for these scholarships in the official website of Harvard University.
Ques. Can international students apply to Harvard, and what additional requirements do they have?
Ans. Yes, international students apply to Harvard University. As an international student, you are also required to submit certain scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, DET, etc. The scores may vary according to the program you are applying for.
Ques. What are the major fields of study or academic programs offered at Harvard University?
Ans. The major fields of study or academic programs offered at Harvard University law, medical, engineering, computer science, etc. Harvard University fees for Indian students varies as per different programs.
Ques. What distinguishes the Harvard curriculum from other universities?
Ans. The factor that distinguishes the Harvard curriculum from other universities is that it provides excellent academic facilities, world class research technologies and prestigious placements.
Ques. What is the average class size, and what is the student-to-faculty ratio at Harvard?
Ans. The average class size of Harvard University is around 12. The university posses a student-faculty ratio of 7:1. However, it entirely depends upon the number of enrollments in a particular year.
Ques. What types of extracurricular activities and clubs are available for students at Harvard?
Ans. The types of extracurricular activities and clubs are available for students at Harvard include different student organizations, musical clubs, drama groups as well as media events.
Ques. How is the housing situation for Harvard students, and are there on-campus housing options for all years?
Ans. The housing situation for Harvard students depends upon the type of accommodation option you are choosing to stay. There are on campus housing options available for international students studying in Harvard.
Ques. Can students work part-time jobs while attending Harvard?
Ans. Yes, students work part-time jobs while attending Harvard. Companies such as Apple, Google, Facebook, Bain & Company, McKinsey, IBM, and Morgan Stanley provide part time jobs to candidates.
Ques. What is the reputation of Harvard's graduate programs, and how can I apply for them?
Ans. The graduate schools include Arts & Sciences, Education, Design, Business, Law, etc. The annual fes range from USD 54,032 (INR 44,83,818) – USD 74,910 (INR 62,16,331) for admission to US universities. You can apply for these programs in the Harvard official website.
Ques. What is the policy on transfer students at Harvard University?
Ans. The policy on transfer students at Harvard University allows transfer in a maximum of 16 semester-long courses.To apply for Harvard University course, candidates need to follow specific admission process.
Ques. How can alumni stay connected with Harvard after graduation, and are there alumni networking opportunities?
Ans. The famous alumni of Harvard University includes Mark Zuckerberg, Barack Obama, Albert A. Gore Jnr, etc. You can contact them via their contact details in the admissions office or through their social media handles.
















