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Harvard University

Cambridge, MA·Private·www.harvard.edu/

Campus Identity

Beach TownNCAA D1PhD Programs

Harvard University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Cambridge, MA. Approximately 7,601 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 4% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 7 miles from the ocean. Ski resorts are within 40 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 55/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Harvard University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Cambridge, MA. Approximately 7,601 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 4% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 7 miles from the ocean. Ski resorts are within 40 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 55/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

4%
Acceptance Rate
54,008 applications
35
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 34–36
$51,143
In-State Tuition
+$4,444 fees
$51,143
Out-of-State Tuition
+$4,444 fees
$21,190
Room & Board
7,601
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
84%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D1
Athletics
The Ivy League
Selectivity4% · Selective
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

740760780

SAT Math

770790800

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D1

The Ivy League

School Size & Setting

20,000+

Urban setting

Beach Access

7 miles

Revere Beach, MA

Ski Access

11 miles

Blue Hills Ski Area

Weather

Cold Climate

44°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Blue Hills Ski Area

Massachusetts

11 mi away
60 skiable acres4 lifts
20 mi away
52 skiable acres10 lifts
Bradford Ski Area

Massachusetts

26 mi away
48 skiable acres10 lifts

Beach Town

Revere Beach, MA

Ocean access within 7.1 miles

7 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Cambridge, MA

28°Jan30°Feb38°Mar49°Apr59°May68°Jun74°Jul73°Aug65°Sep53°Oct43°Nov34°Dec

Station: JAMAICA PLAIN · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

55/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety523494
52/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
34/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
94/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$51,143
Fees
$4,444
Room & Board
$21,190
Total
$76,777
App Fee: $85

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

311 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
877 grads/yr$113,503
LawProfessional
570 grads/yr$291,490
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and ResearchMaster's
505 grads/yr
Public HealthMaster's
400 grads/yr$153,029
Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMaster's
393 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Law
Professional570 grads$291,490
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Professional$272,009
Statistics
Bachelor's52 grads$230,876
Computer Engineering
Master's94 grads$228,519
Computer Science
Bachelor's183 grads$203,169
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
Master's18 grads$198,921
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
Other18 grads$198,324
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Master's62 grads$189,806
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
Doctoral52 grads$185,905
Public Administration
Master's374 grads$177,149

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Harvard University located?

Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA. The main campus address is Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Harvard University?

Harvard University has an acceptance rate of 4%, making it extremely selective. Out of 54,008 applicants, 1,970 were admitted in the most recent year. 7,601 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Harvard University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Harvard University scored between 34 and 36 on the ACT, with a median of 35. About 19% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Harvard University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Harvard University charges $51,143/year in tuition. Including room and board ($21,190/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $55,587/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Harvard University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Harvard University?

The undergraduate application fee at Harvard University is $85. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Harvard University have college sports?

Yes — Harvard University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the The Ivy League. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Harvard University the right fit for me?

Whether Harvard University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (4% admit rate), cost ($51,143/year out-of-state), campus culture in Cambridge, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Harvard University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Harvard University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Cambridge, MA
Size
20,000+
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
The Ivy League
School Year Weather
Cold · 44°F avg
App Fee
$85
On Campus Safety Score
55/100
Nearest Airport
Boston, MA (BOS) · 6 mialso BED (11 mi), OWD (13 mi)

Location

Cambridge, MA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.