CAMPUS · CAMBRIDGE, MA · PRIVATE

Harvard University Acceptance Rate

Harvard University

3.5%

Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For Harvard University, the gap is real: a $85,540 published sticker, but families actually pay about $15,411/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.

FIT

REACH

Harvard University is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

3.5%

of 56,937 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$101,817

across all majors

Harvard University at a Glance

37,613

Total Enrollment

$14,000

Median Debt

16.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Harvard University

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	740	780	760
SAT Math	760	800	780
SAT Total	1500	1580	1540
ACT Composite	34	36	35

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	56,937
Students Admitted	1,965
Students Enrolled	1,645
Yield Rate	83.7%

Harvard University Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News National Universities	#3	2025
QS World University Rankings	#4	2025
THE World University Rankings	#4	2025
ARWU (Shanghai)	#1	2024

Show 10-Year US News Ranking History

US News National Universities
2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
#2	#2	#2	#2	#2	#2	#3	#3	#3	#3

US News National Universities: #2 (2016) → #3 (2025) ↓ 1 spots

Harvard University Admissions Overview

Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, MA with 37,613 students. With a 3.5% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Mathematics/Statistics.

Full Name	Harvard University
Location	Cambridge, MA 02138
Type	Private
Website	harvard.edu/
Total Enrollment	37,613
Undergrad Enrollment	12,494
Female Students	52.1%

Is Harvard University a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 3.5%, Harvard University is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	Harvard University Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Harvard University True Cost by Family Income

16% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Harvard enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$8,697	$34,788
$30-48k	$2,991	$11,964
$48-75k	$2,091	$8,364
$75-110k	$9,941	$39,764
$110k+	$53,337	$213,348

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$20,374
Total Cost of Attendance	$85,540

Want to see how Harvard University stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at Harvard University

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

31.6%

Biological Sciences

11.1%

Mathematics/Statistics

11.0%

Computer Science

8.6%

History

7.6%

Best Majors at Harvard University →

{sn} Student Demographics

White

28.6%

Black/African American

7.3%

Hispanic/Latino

10.6%

Asian

16.8%

International

18.3%

How to Get Into Harvard University

Harvard is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1540+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Harvard wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1540

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

3.5%

Acceptance Rate

56,937

Total Applicants

What Harvard University Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Very Important
Talent Ability	Very Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Important
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at Harvard University by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

Harvard University Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Harvard University REA admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Action	Nov 1
Regular Decision	Jan 1
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)	Feb 1

REA: Harvard University uses REA (Restrictive Early Action). You can apply early without a binding commitment, but you cannot apply early to other private schools.

See Harvard University alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

16.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$14,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$99,572

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About Harvard University

What is Harvard's acceptance rate?

Harvard has an acceptance rate of 3.5%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for Harvard?

The middle 50% SAT range at Harvard is 1500-1580. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 34-36. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at Harvard?

The most popular majors at Harvard by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (31.6%), Biological Sciences (11.1%), Mathematics/Statistics (11.0%), Computer Science (8.6%), History (7.6%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to Harvard?

Harvard accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.