What SAT score do I need for Harvard University?

Harvard University's middle 50% SAT range is 1510 to 1580. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.

What ACT score do I need for Harvard University?

Middle 50% ACT range is 34 to 36. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.

What is the acceptance rate at Harvard University?

Harvard University admits roughly 4% of applicants. That makes it a reach for nearly everyone, regardless of stats.

What does Harvard University actually cost after financial aid?

Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $19,066 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.

Is Harvard University a reach, match, or safety for me?

Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat Harvard University as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA · Northeast

Acceptance rate: 3.6%
SAT mid-50: 1510-1580
Cost after aid: $19,066
Graduation rate: 98%

Application deadlines

Official 2026-2027 cycle deadlines for Harvard University.

Plan	Deadline
Restrictive Early Action	Nov 1, 2026
Regular Decision	Jan 1, 2027

What Harvard University says matters

How Harvard University rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.

Acceptance rate: 3.6%; 1,970 of 54,008
Yield: 84%; 1,647 enrolled
SAT mid-50: 1510-1580
ACT mid-50: 34-36
CDS year: 2024-25

Acceptance rate by gender

Men: 3.6%920 of 25,613
Women: 3.7%1,050 of 28,372

Considered

Rigor of secondary school record
Academic GPA
Standardized test scores
Application essay
Recommendations
Interview
Extracurricular activities
Talent or ability
Character or personal qualities
First generation
Alumni relation

Not considered

Class rank

The full Common Data Set

Every figure Harvard University published for 2024-25, section by section.

First-Time, First-Year Admission96

Entrance Exams

AP: X
Institutional Exam: X
Does your institution make use of SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants?: No

Applications

Total first-time, first-year men who applied: 25,613
Total first-time, first-year women who applied: 28,372
Total first-time, first-year another gender who applied: 23
Total first-time, first-year men who were admitted: 920
Total first-time, first-year women who were admitted: 1,050
Total first-time, first-year another gender who were admitted: 0
Total full-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled: 767
Total first-time, first-year students who applied: 54,008
Total first-time, first-year students who were admitted: 1,970
Total first-time, first-year students who enrolled: 1,647
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 3,032
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 265
Total first-time, first-year who enrolled: 227
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 34,216
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 1,380
Total first-time, first-year who enrolled: 1,125
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 16,760
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 325
Total first-time, first-year who enrolled: 295

Basis for Selection

Rigor of secondary school record: Considered
Class rank: Not Considered
Academic GPA: Considered
Standardized test scores: Considered
Application Essay: Considered
Recommendation(s): Considered
Interview: Considered
Extracurricular activities: Considered
Talent/ability: Considered
Character/personal qualities: Considered
First generation: Considered
Alumni/ae relation: Considered

First-time, first-year Profile

Submitting SAT Scores: 0.54
Submitting ACT Scores: 0.19
Submitting SAT Scores: 892
Submitting ACT Scores: 321
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 25th Percentile: 740
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 50th Percentile: 760
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 75th Percentile: 780
SAT Math: 25th Percentile: 770
SAT Math: 50th Percentile: 790
SAT Math: 75th Percentile: 800
ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 34%
ACT Composite: 50th Percentile: 35%
ACT Composite: 75th Percentile: 36%
ACT Math: 25th Percentile: 32%
ACT Math: 50th Percentile: 35%
ACT Math: 75th Percentile: 36%
ACT English: 25th Percentile: 35%
ACT English: 50th Percentile: 35%
ACT English: 75th Percentile: 36%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-800: 95
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 600-699: 5
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 500-599: 0
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: Total: 100
SAT Math: 700-800: 98
SAT Math: 600-699: 2
SAT Math: 500-599: 0
SAT Math: Total: 100
SAT Composite: Total: 0
ACT Composite: 30-36: 98
ACT Composite: 24-29: 2
ACT Composite: Total: 100
Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class: 94%
Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class: 99%
Percent in top half of high school graduating class: 100%
Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class: 0
Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class: 0
Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school class rank:: 29%
Total: 0
Total: 0
Percent who had GPA of 4.0: 72%
Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99: 22%
Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74: 4.1%
Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49: 60%
Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24: 17%
Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99: 34%
Percent who had GPA between 2.0 and 2.49: 17%
Total: 100

Admission Policies

Amount of application fee:: 85
Can it be waived for applicants with financial need?: Yes
Same fee: X
Does your institution have an application closing date?: Yes
Application closing date (fall): 1
Priority Date: 1
Are first-time, first-year students accepted for terms other than the fall?: Yes
Date: X
Yes, other:: 3
Other Date: 31
Date: X
No set Date: 5
Must reply by May 1st or within____weeks if notified after: 1
Does your institution allow high school students to enroll as full-time, first-time, first-year students one year or more before high school graduation?: Yes
Does your institution offer an early decision plan (an admission plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date and that asks students to commit to attending if accepted) for first-time, first-year applicants for fall enrollment?: No

Transfer Admission3

Application for Admission

Describe additional requirements for transfer admission, if applicable:: - D12 Report the lowest grade earned for any course that may be transferred for credit: 2.00 Number Unit Type - D13 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a two-year institution: 8 Number Unit Type - D14 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a four-year institution: 8 - D15 Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn an associate degree: - D16 Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor's degree: 8.00 - D17 Describe other transfer credit policies: ## D18-D22: Military Service Transfer Credit Policies - D18 Does your institution accept the following military/veteran transfer credits: Yes No Number Unit Type - D19 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on military education evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE): Number Unit Type - D20 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on Department of Defense supported prior learning assessments (College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)): Yes No - D21 Are the military/veteran credit transfer policies published on your website? - D22 Describe other military/veteran transfer credit policies unique to your institution: If yes, please provide the URL where the policy can be located: American Council on Education (ACE) College Level Examination Program (CLEP) DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) ##

Transfer Credit Policies

Report the lowest grade earned for any course that may be transferred for credit:: 2.00
Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor’s degree:: 8

Academic Offerings and Policies16

Special Study Options

Cross-registration: X
Double major: X
Exchange student program (domestic): X
Honors Program: X
Independent study: X
Student-designed major: X
Study abroad: X
Undergraduate Research: X

Required Course Work

English (including composition): X
Foreign languages: X
History: X
Humanities: X
Mathematics: X
Philosophy: X
Sciences (biological or physical): X
Social science: X

Student Life33

Percent Participating

Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator): 86%
Percent who live off campus or commute: 0
Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator): 85%
Percent who live off campus or commute: 3.0%
Percent of students age 25 and older: 100%

Average Age

Average age of full-time students: 19
Average age of all students (full- and part-time): 19
Average age of full-time students: 21
Average age of all students (full- and part-time): 21

Activities Offered

Campus Ministries: X
Choral groups: X
Concert band: X
Dance: X
Drama/theater: X
International Student Organization: X
Jazz band: X
Literary magazine: X
Marching band: X
Model UN: X
Music ensembles: X
Musical theater: X
Opera: X
Pep band: X
Radio station: X
Student government: X
Student newspaper: X
Student-run film society: X
Symphony orchestra: X
Television station: X
Yearbook: X

Housing

Apartments for married students: X
Special housing for disabled students: X
Cooperative housing: X

Annual Expenses10

Private Tuition

Tuition: 59320
Tuition: 59320

All Institutions Expenses

Required Fees:: 5476
Food and housing (on-campus):: 22130
Housing Only (on-campus):: 13532
Food Only (on-campus meal plan):: 8598
Required Fees:: 5476
Food and housing (on-campus):: 22130
Housing Only (on-campus):: 13532
Food Only (on-campus meal plan):: 8598

Financial Aid85

Students Awarded Non-need-based Aid

N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits): 3
O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n: 6,000
P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant: 0
Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p: 0
N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits): 20
O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n: 5,569
P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant: 0
Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p: 0

Methodology

Both FM and IM: 14477617

Need-based Aid Awarded

Federal: 719873
State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located: 249502952
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).: 5853210
Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college: 270553652
Total Scholarships/Grants: 1943520
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans): 2652524
Federal Work-Study: 6898224
State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.): 11494268
Total Self-Help: 0
Parent Loans: 0
Tuition Waivers Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.: 0
Athletic Awards: 5347800

Non-need-based Aid Awarded

Federal: 9100
State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located: 129393
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).: 4927502
Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college: 10413795
Total Scholarships/Grants: 4847694
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans): 613653
State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.): 5461347
Total Self-Help: 8428906
Parent Loans: 0
Tuition Waivers Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.: 0

Students Awarded Aid

A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort): 1,630
B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid: 1,083
C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need: 920
D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid: 920
E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid: 920
F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid: 680
G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid: 0
H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 920
I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 100%
J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 74387
K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e: 73497
L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f: 3149
M. Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan: 3558
A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort): 6,975
B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid: 4,117
C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need: 3,788
D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid: 3,788
E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid: 3,788
F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid: 3,157
G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid: 0
H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 3,788
I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 100%
J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 72600
K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e: 69755
L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f: 3413
M. Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan: 3774

Graduating Cohort

Provide the number of students in the 2024 undergraduate class who started at your institution as first-time students and received a bachelor's degree between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Exclude students who transferred into your institution.: 20

Source Type Loan

A. Any loan program: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, institutional, state, private loans that your institution is aware of, etc. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 228
B. Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 105
C. Institutional loan programs.: 171
D. State loan programs.: 0
E. Private student loans made by a bank or lender.: 37
A. Any loan program: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, institutional, state, private loans that your institution is aware of, etc. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 13
B. Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 6
C. Institutional loan programs.: 10
D. State loan programs.: 0
E. Private student loans made by a bank or lender.: 2
A. Any loan program: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, institutional, state, private loans that your institution is aware of, etc. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 22262
B. Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 14809
C. Institutional loan programs.: 7300
D. State loan programs.: 0
E. Private student loans made by a bank or lender.: 61415

Financial Aid Forms

Other (specify):: X

Financial Aid Deadlines

Priority date for filing required financial aid forms:: X
Deadline for filing required financial aid forms:: 2
No deadline for filing required forms (applications processed on a rolling basis): 1

Aid Available

Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans: X
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans: X
Federal Pell Grants: X
Federal SEOG: X
State scholarships/grants: X
Private scholarships: X
College/university scholarship or grant aid from institutional funds: X

Institutional Aid

If your institution has recently implemented any major financial aid policy, program, or initiative to make your institution more affordable to incoming students such as replacing loans with grants, or waiving costs for families below a certain income level please provide details:: Reinforcing its commitment to providing opportunity for all talented students regardless of their economic resources, Harvard expanded the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI) for low- and middle-income families. Beginning in the 23-24 school year, the cost to attend Harvard College, which includes tuition, housing, food, and all fees, was free for families with annual incomes below $85,000. A quarter of Harvard College students come from families with incomes under $85,000. In addition, Harvard will offer a $2,000 Launch Grant to all juniors from families with annual incomes below $85,000, to help with expenses to plan for life after Harvard. ##

Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred17

Diploma/Certificates

TOTAL (should = 100%): 0

Associate

TOTAL (should = 100%): 0

Bachelors

Natural resources and conservation: 0.01
Area, ethnic, and gender studies: 0.02
Computer and information sciences: 0.11
Engineering: 0.05
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics: 0.03
English: 0.02
Biological/life sciences: 0.13
Mathematics and statistics: 0.12
Philosophy and religious studies: 0.01
Physical sciences: 0.08
Psychology: 0.04
Social sciences: 0.27
Visual and performing arts: 0.03
History: 0.08
TOTAL (should = 100%): 100%

Enrollment And Persistence113

Institutional Enrollment

Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: men: 764
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women: 3
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: another gender: 2,465
Other first-year, degree-seeking: women: 3,271
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women: 877
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: another gender: 5
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: unknown: 2,860
Other first-year, degree-seeking: another gender: 3,762
All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: women: 21,189

Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category

Nonresidents: 265
Hispanic/Latino: 183
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 112
White, non-Hispanic: 457
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 3
Asian, non-Hispanic: 375
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 2
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 127
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 117
TOTAL: 1,641
Nonresidents: 1,048
Hispanic/Latino: 806
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 628
White, non-Hispanic: 2,088
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 24
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1,647
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 11
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 542
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 185
TOTAL: 6,979
Nonresidents: 1,103
Hispanic/Latino: 806
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 628
White, non-Hispanic: 2,088
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 24
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1,651
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 11
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 542
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 185
TOTAL: 7,038

Persistence

Bachelor's degrees: 1,753
Postbachelor's certificates: 9
Master's degrees: 4,441
Doctoral degrees – research/scholarship: 712
Doctoral degrees – professional practice: 837

Graduation Rates

Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 303
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 7
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,343
Total: 1,653
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 0
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 0
Total: 0
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 303
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 7
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,343
Total: 1,653
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 195
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 2
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 723
Total: 920
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 80
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 5
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 553
Total: 638
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 12
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 43
Total: 55
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 287
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 7
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,319
Total: 1,613
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 95
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 100
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 98
Total: 98
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 282
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 13
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,393
Total: 1,688
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 0
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1
Total: 1
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 282
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 13
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,392
Total: 1,687
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 203
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 9
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 898
Total: 1,110
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 63
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 4
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 411
Total: 478
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 5
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 49
Total: 54
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 271
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 13
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,358
Total: 1,642
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 96
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 100
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 98
Total: 97
2021 Cohort: 14
2020 Cohort: 0
2021 Cohort: 15
2021 Cohort: 150
2020 Cohort: 16

Instructional Faculty And Class Size48

Instructional Faculty

A. Total number of instructional faculty: 1,846
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 480
C. Total number who are women: 726
D. Total number who are men: 1,120
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 151
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 1,710
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 111
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 21
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 4
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 818
A. Total number of instructional faculty: 316
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 75
C. Total number who are women: 131
D. Total number who are men: 185
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 19
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 221
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 71
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 20
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 4
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 194
A. Total number of instructional faculty: 2,162
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 555
C. Total number who are women: 857
D. Total number who are men: 1,305
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 170
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 1,931
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 182
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 41
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 8
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 1,012

Student to Faculty Ratio

based on ____ students: 6,976
and ____ faculty: 981

Undergraduate Class Size

2-9: 465
10-19: 465
20-29: 304
30-39: 103
40-49: 53
50-99: 23
100+: 72
Total: 52
2-9: 73
10-19: 73
20-29: 67
30-39: 59
40-49: 38
50-99: 19
100+: 57
Total: 46

Source: Harvard University's Common Data Set 2024-25

About Harvard University

Harvard University is a small private university in Cambridge, MA, in a city setting.

What Harvard University looks for

Acceptance is roughly 4%, so admitted students nearly always have stats above the bottom of the mid-50. That said, stats alone do not get anyone in here. The applications that work read as coherent applicants with a clear academic and personal narrative more than as resumes. Admissions officers are reading for specifics: what you actually did, what you cared enough to follow through on, and how you write when you sound like yourself rather than a candidate.

Frequently asked

What SAT score do I need for Harvard University?
Harvard University's middle 50% SAT range is 1510 to 1580. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.
What ACT score do I need for Harvard University?
Middle 50% ACT range is 34 to 36. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.
What is the acceptance rate at Harvard University?
Harvard University admits roughly 4% of applicants. That makes it a reach for nearly everyone, regardless of stats.
What does Harvard University actually cost after financial aid?
Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $19,066 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.
Is Harvard University a reach, match, or safety for me?
Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat Harvard University as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

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Similar schools

Brown University

Providence, RI

5% acceptance7,226 undergrads

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY

4% acceptance8,973 undergrads

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH

5% acceptance4,541 undergrads