Harvard University Tuition and Fees

Harvard University Tuition and Fees

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    By Susan Guillory

    (Last Updated – 05/2023)

    Total Cost of Attendance

    Harvard University is known for being one of the oldest (if not the oldest) institutions of higher learning in the United States. Harvard tuition, which was $57,261 a year in 2022-23, is above the national average for four-year private nonprofit institutions of $39,400, though a high number of students receive student loans or scholarships to cover this cost.

    Costs for 2022-23

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $57,261

    $57,261

    Books & Supplies

    $900

    $900

    Room & Board

    $19,502

    $19,502

    Other Expenses

    $5,875

    $5,875

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $83,538

    $83,538

    Financial Aid

    55% of the admitted students get needs-based Harvard scholarships. Harvard is need-blind, which means that students who require financial aid aren’t discriminated against in the application process. Anyone, regardless of income, may qualify for acceptance.

    Explore financial aid options: Massachusetts Student Loan & Scholarships.

    Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

    The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

    •  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

    •  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

    •  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

    •  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

    Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

    You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

    •  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

    •  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

    Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

    Private Student Loans

    7% of incoming freshmen at Harvard get federal or private student loans to help with Harvard tuition. On average, freshmen students receive $5,770 in student loans.

    Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

    What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

    Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

    If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

    Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

    Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

    The Harvard costs for a four-year degree, including books, tuition, and all other expenses, would be approximately $334,152 based on the 2022-23 school year. In comparison, the average cost for private school tuition and room and board in the U.S. is $53,430 a year (based on ‘22-23), totaling $213,720 for four years, according to CollegeData.com.

    This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

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    Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

    Costs for 2022-23

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $57,261

    $57,261

    Room & Board

    $19,502

    $19,502

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $76,763

    $76,763

    Students spent approximately $57,261 for Harvard University tuition in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, costs for room and board total $19,502, bringing the total cost of attendance to $76,763.

    This is substantially higher than the average for private schools in the U.S. of $53,430.

    Graduate Tuition and Fees

    Costs for 2022-23

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $53,760

    $53,760

    Tuition for graduate school at Harvard was $53,760 in 2022-23. The average cost for tuition for graduate school at a private institution in the United States was $62,100. Many students at Harvard opt for graduate loans to help cover these costs.

    Cost per Credit Hour

    Full-time students pay the full tuition, but some students attend part-time, and in that case, they pay per credit hour. The Harvard University cost per credit hour averages $1,641, but this number varies by department. Multiply that times the number of credits you’re taking. If you take six credits per semester, your tuition would be $9,846. If you took 12 credits, the cost would be $19,692.

    Campus Housing Expenses

    Costs for 2022-23

    Student Type

    On-Campus

    Off-Campus

    Books & Supplies

    $900

    $900

    Room & Board

    $19,502

    $2,000/month*

    Other Expenses

    $5,875

    $5,875

    *Based on studio pricing. Average rate based on available apartments on Harvard’s off-campus housing website in 2023.

    In addition to Harvard University tuition, room and board is the next highest expense. View our student loans guide for help paying for it.

    There are 17 freshman dorms and 12 Houses for upper-level students. Freshmen generally live in suites with a common room and two to four bedrooms. Roommates are chosen by the University. Upperclass students are assigned to one of Harvard’s historic Houses, each of which serves as a residence to 350-500 students.

    Only a small percentage of students choose to live off-campus, and there are many apartments and homes for rent near campus. Harvard has partnered with private landlords and real estate agents to provide affordable housing to students. The average price for a studio in Cambridge is $2,000, though many are even higher. Keep in mind that leases may be for a full year, not a school year.

    [Explore off-campus living options at Harvard Off-Campus Housing.]

    Harvard Acceptance Rate

    Fall 2023

    Number of applications

    43,330

    Number accepted

    1,950

    Percentage Accepted

    4.5%

    With just 4.5% of applicants accepted, the Harvard acceptance rate is extremely competitive.

    Admission Requirements

    To be accepted as a student at Harvard, there are certain considerations you must meet. Some, like secondary school record, recommendations, and admission test scores, are required, while others, including secondary school GPA and school rank, are recommended. There is not a required GPA minimum to qualify.

    Required:

    •  Secondary school record

    •  Recommendations

    •  Admission test scores

    Recommended:

    •  Secondary school GPA

    •  Secondary school rank

    The deadline to apply as a Restrictive Early Action candidate for the 2023-24 school year is November 1. You will receive notification by mid-December. The deadline for Regular Decision candidates is January 1, with notification sent by the end of March. You can apply here. .

    SAT and ACT Scores

    Harvard no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for classes of 2027-2030. Students who do not submit test scores will be considered equally for admissions as those who do.

    Though there are no required test scores for admissions, here are the scores by subject at the 25th and 75th percentile:

    Subject

    25th Percentile

    75th Percentile

    SAT Evidence-Based
    Reading/Writing

    730

    780

    SAT Math

    750

    800

    ACT Composite

    33

    36

    ACT English

    35

    36

    ACT Math

    32

    35

    Graduation Rate

    The Harvard graduation rate is fairly high. Here is the graduation rate of students who began their studies in 2015: 97%.

    Post-Graduation Median Earnings

    Curious how much money you could make after graduating from Harvard? Median earnings after graduation are $95,114, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. In contrast, the average for four-year schools, in general, is $55,260.

    Bottom Line

    At $83,538 a year, Harvard’s cost of attendance is relatively high for the country, but in exchange, you’ll get a world-class education. And Harvard isn’t just for the rich and elite: because it’s need-blind, applicants from all financial backgrounds are welcome. The hard part is getting in.

    SoFi private student loans offer competitive interest rates for qualifying borrowers, flexible repayment plans, and no origination fees.

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    Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd

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