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Harvard University

Private

Cambridge, MA

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Harvard University, in Cambridge, MA, is a private mid-sized school, enrolling around 7,601 students. Admissions are highly selective here -- roughly 4% of applicants get in. Students are required to live on campus. About 4% of students borrow federal loans here.

Admissions

Admit rate4%
SAT range1510–1580
ACT range34–36
Undergrads7,601
Yield (admits who enroll)83%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (EA)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$85,540
4-year grad rate97%
Median earnings, 10yr out$101,817

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against Harvard University's numbers?

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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Harvard University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans4%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out71%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusYes
Dormitory capacity13,748
Typical room charge$12,056
Typical board charge$7,446

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPAConsidered, not required
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What is Harvard University's acceptance rate?

Harvard University in Cambridge, MA admits approximately 4% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Harvard University?

Admitted students at Harvard University typically score between 1510–1580 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Harvard University?

Admitted students at Harvard University typically score between 34–36 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Harvard University cost?

Harvard University's total cost of attendance is reported at $85,540 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Harvard University?

Harvard University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Harvard University require students to live on campus?

Yes -- Harvard University requires students to live in on-campus housing.

Related reading

What the Ivy League actually is →Tuition-free for families earning up to $200,000 →One of the few schools genuinely need-blind for international applicants →Faculty voted to cap A grades at 20% (plus four) per course, starting fall 2027 →Ivy League Waitlist Acceptance Rates: What Every School Actually Discloses →Ivy League Early vs. Regular Decision Acceptance Rates: Only 2 of 8 Schools Disclose Both →

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