Harvard University: Admissions, Rankings & Costs 2026

Harvard University stands as one of the world’s most prestigious and historic institutions of higher education. Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest university in the United States and has consistently ranked among the top global universities for nearly four centuries. With a massive academic reputation, influential alumni, and exceptional resources, Harvard continues to set standards in teaching, research, and leadership across disciplines.

In the upcoming academic years, Harvard maintains its tradition of excellence with rigorous admissions, broad academic offerings, and a global footprint. Its reputation extends far beyond the U.S., shaping leaders in government, science, business, academia, and the arts.

Key Highlights: Harvard University

• History of Harvard University
• Harvard University: Ranking & Reputation
• Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics: Harvard University
• Admission Requirements for Harvard University
• Faculties, Schools & Departments at Harvard University 
• Top Courses at Harvard University (Bachelors & Masters)
• Cost of Studying at Harvard
• Scholarships at Harvard (for International Students)
• Career Outcomes and Employment Statistics at Harvard University
• Notable Alumni: Harvard University
• Conclusion 
• FAQs

History of Harvard University

Founded in 1636, Harvard College was established by the Massachusetts Bay Colony, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It was named after its first benefactor, John Harvard, a young minister who bequeathed his library and half his estate. Initially focused on educating clergy, Harvard’s curriculum evolved through the Enlightenment, incorporating sciences and humanities.

The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed transformative expansion under presidents like Charles W. Eliot (1869-1909), who instituted the elective system, and Derek Bok (1971-1991; 2006-2007), who emphasized ethical leadership and public service. The radical diversification of its student body, beginning in the latter half of the 20th century, and the growth of its graduate and professional schools, cemented its role as a comprehensive research university. The 21st century has been marked by physical expansion into Allston, a Boston neighborhood across the Charles River, creating a new applied science and engineering corridor. The last decade specifically has seen a conscious drive to break down silos: the establishment of the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, the Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence, and the Harvard Quantum Initiative exemplify this interdisciplinary mission. In 2025-26, Harvard operates as a global enterprise, simultaneously honoring its deep traditions and aggressively pursuing frontier research.

Key historical milestones include:

Over nearly 400 years, Harvard has diversified into numerous schools, departments, and research centers, shaping modern higher education in the United States and globally.

Harvard University: Ranking & Reputation

Harvard remains a top global university across major ranking systems, reflecting excellence in research, teaching quality, employability, and academic reputation.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics: Harvard University

Harvard’s admission process is among the most competitive in the world. The acceptance rate has steadily declined over the past decade, reflecting both the university’s growing prestige and an increasing global applicant pool.

Recent Acceptance Rate Trends

Early Action vs. Regular Decision

Harvard offers Restrictive Early Action (REA), which historically shows higher acceptance rates:

• Early Action Acceptance Rate (Class of 2027): 7.6%
• Regular Decision Acceptance Rate: Approximately 2.8%

The REA program is non-binding, meaning admitted students are not obligated to enroll. However, applicants cannot apply early decision or early action to other private institutions, though they may apply early to public universities.

Admission Requirements for Harvard University

Harvard University follows a holistic and extremely selective admissions process, admitting only the highest-performing applicants worldwide. For the 2025–26 academic cycle, Harvard continues to prioritize academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, leadership qualities, extracurricular distinction, and personal character.

The requirements differ for undergraduate (Harvard College) and graduate/professional programs, but both demand exceptional academic credentials, strong recommendations, and compelling achievements.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements (Harvard College)

Harvard College admissions remain among the most competitive globally. With acceptance rates around 3.4%–3.6%, applicants must demonstrate top 1–2% academic performance internationally.

Academic Criteria

Typical Admitted Student Test Scores

Documents Required

Extracurricular & Personal Factors

Harvard’s admissions committee specifically assesses:

• Leadership positions (school captain, NGO founder, sports captain, etc.)
• Awards (national/international Olympiads, competitions, research)
• Community service and social impact
• Exceptional talent (arts, sports, innovation, entrepreneurship)
• Personal background & resilience
• Contribution potential to the Harvard community

Applicants with national-level achievements, publications, startups, patents, or exceptional portfolios have higher chances.

Interview Requirement

Graduate & Professional Admissions Requirements 

Harvard’s graduate schools have different standards, but all require strong academics, analytical ability, clarity of purpose, and often relevant work experience.

General Graduate Requirements (GSAS, SEAS, etc.)

Program-Specific Requirements

Harvard Business School (HBS) – MBA Requirements

Harvard Law School (HLS) – JD Requirements

Harvard Medical School (HMS) – MD Requirements

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

International Student Requirements

International students make up a significant portion of Harvard’s applicant pool, and their evaluation includes additional factors.

1. English Language Proficiency

Harvard does not specify minimums but admitted students consistently fall in high ranges.

2. Additional Requirements for International Applicants

• Financial documentation (for I-20 visa issuance)
• Attested/translated academic transcripts
• Standardized test equivalencies
• National exam results (A-levels, CBSE, IB, AP etc.)
• Proof of academic integrity
• Students from countries with non-English instruction must submit proficiency scores.

Faculties, Schools & Departments at Harvard University 

Harvard University is one of the most academically diverse institutions in the world, operating through a highly organized system of faculties, schools, and departments. As of 2025–26, Harvard is composed of 12 degree-granting schools, offering 3,700+ courses, 50+ undergraduate concentrations, 135+ graduate degree programs, and 11 major academic faculties.

Faculties at Harvard University 

Harvard officially organizes teaching and research through 11 major faculties.

Each faculty oversees specific disciplines, research operations, teaching staff, and academic programs.

List of Harvard Faculties

1. Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS)
2. John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)
3. Harvard Business School (HBS)
4. Harvard Medical School (HMS)
5. Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM)
6. Harvard Law School (HLS)
7. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
8. Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE)
9. Harvard Kennedy School of Government (HKS)
10. Harvard Divinity School (HDS)
11. Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study

1. Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS)

• The largest faculty at Harvard.
• Over 1,200 faculty members
• 40+ undergraduate concentrations
• Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) included
• Offers programs in: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Applied Math, Economics, Linguistics, etc.

2. John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences (SEAS)

• Established: 1847
• Students: 2,200
• Research areas: AI, Robotics, Quantum Engineering, Applied Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Data Science

3. Harvard Business School (HBS)

• Founded: 1908
• Students: 2,000+
• Known for Harvard Case Method
• Offers MBA, Executive Education & Doctoral Programs

4. Harvard Medical School (HMS)

• Founded: 1782
• Faculty: 11,000 affiliated faculty across hospitals
• Programs: MD, MD-PhD, Master’s, Global Health, Biomedical Informatics

5. Harvard Law School (HLS)

• Founded: 1817
• Students: 1,990
• World’s largest academic law library with 2+ million volumes

6. T.H. Chan School of Public Health

• Focus on epidemiology, global health, biostatistics, public health leadership
• Over 1,500 research publications annually

7. Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

• Specializes in governance, economics, public policy, international affairs
• Largest MPP program in the U.S.

8. Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE)

• Focuses on educational psychology, policy, leadership
• Offers Ed.M., Ed.L.D., PhD

9. Harvard Divinity School (HDS)

• One of the oldest theological schools in the U.S.
• Multireligious study with programs in theology, ethics, religion & society

10. Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM)

• Integrated with Harvard Medical School curriculum
• Leading research in craniofacial biology and dental medicine

11. Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study

• Focus on interdisciplinary research
• Known for supporting women in academia
• Offers fellowships for 50–60 scholars annually

Harvard Schools

Below is the complete list of all 12 degree-granting schools:

Academic Departments at Harvard

Harvard has 70+ academic departments, organized under its major faculties.

Below is a categorized structure.

Departments under Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Humanities (15+ Departments)

• English
• History
• Philosophy
• Linguistics
• Classics
• Comparative Literature
• Art, Film & Visual Studies

Social Sciences (12+ Departments)

• Economics
• Sociology
• Government
• Psychology
• Anthropology
• Social Studies

Sciences (10+ Departments)

• Biology
• Chemistry & Chemical Biology
• Physics
• Earth & Planetary Sciences
• Mathematics
• Statistics

Departments under Engineering (SEAS)

Departments under Harvard Medical School

• Biomedical Informatics
• Global Health & Social Medicine
• Genetics
• Systems Biology
• Neurobiology
• Immunology

Affiliated hospitals:

• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Boston Children’s Hospital

Harvard Business School Departments

HBS does not use traditional disciplinary “departments” but organizes faculty into 10 academic units, including:

• Accounting & Management
• Business, Government & International Economy
• Marketing
• Strategy
• Technology & Operations Management
• Organizational Behavior

Departments at Other Schools

Harvard Law School (HLS)

• Criminal Justice
• Corporate Law
• Constitutional Law
• International Law

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

• Public Policy
• Economics & Global Affairs
• Leadership & Public Management

Harvard Graduate School of Education

• Human Development
• Education Leadership
• Learning & Teaching

Top Courses at Harvard University (Bachelors & Masters)

Harvard University offers 3,700+ courses, 50+ undergraduate concentrations, and 135+ graduate and professional programs across its 12 schools. Harvard’s programs consistently rank among the Top 5 globally according to QS and THE Rankings, with several courses ranked #1 worldwide.

Below is the most updated and expanded analysis of Harvard’s top bachelor’s and master’s courses, including curriculum highlights, job outcomes, and tuition details.

Top Undergraduate Courses (Bachelor’s Degrees)

Harvard does not offer traditional “Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Arts (BSc/BA)” labels. Instead, undergraduate students pursue AB (Bachelor of Arts) or SB (Bachelor of Science) degrees through Harvard College.

Top 10 Undergraduate Courses at Harvard

Top Master’s Courses at Harvard University

Harvard’s graduate schools offer 100+ master’s programs, consistently ranked in the Top 5 globally across disciplines like medicine, business, law, education, technology, and public policy.

Below is a comprehensive list of Harvard’s most prestigious and high-demand master’s programs.

Top 10 Master’s Degrees at Harvard

Cost of Studying at Harvard

Harvard’s sticker price is high, but its generous need-based aid and program-specific funding significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for many students. Below are official figures for tuition, living, health insurance, books, and total cost estimates for undergraduates and representative graduate/professional programs.

Tuition fees

Living expenses (room & board / housing & food)

Harvard publishes an estimated room & board (housing + food) for undergraduate students and school-specific housing budgets for graduate programs.

Off-campus housing in Cambridge/Boston varies widely; typical graduate budgets (HLS/HBS/HMS) reflect local rental market assumptions used by each school when building COA.

Health insurance

Harvard requires students to have health coverage. If a student does not waive the university health plan, the SHIP/HUSHP cost applies.

• Harvard University Student Health Insurance Plan (HUSHP / SHIP) (2025–26): $4,308 / year (typical full-year SHIP rate). 
• Student Health Fee (clinic access): additional $1,800 / year (covers on-campus health services). 

Example: many school budgets show both items (HUSHP $4,308 + Student Health Fee $1,800) as separate line items. Students who have comparable private insurance may be able to waive HUSHP (depending on plan rules).

Scholarships at Harvard (for International Students)

Harvard’s undergraduate financial aid is need-based and available to international students on the same basis as U.S. students. Graduate/professional schools typically combine fellowships, scholarships, grants, and work-study or assistantships — the mix varies by school/program.

Need-based financial

• Harvard’s aid policy is need-based, not merit-based; scholarship awards are grants and do not have to be paid back. 
• 2025–26 expansion: Harvard announced expanded undergraduate aid: free tuition for families earning ≤ $200,000, and for families ≤ $100,000 the aid may cover tuition and billed costs (housing, health insurance, travel). This expansion is effective 2025–26 and increases the share of families qualifying for some level of aid. 
• Annual aid budget: Harvard College’s undergraduate financial aid budget is $275 million. Approximately 55% of undergraduates receive need-based scholarship support. Average family contribution for recipients historically has been modest (Harvard reports families with aid paid an average of $15,700 in earlier years).

Harvard scholarship amounts & average award statistics

Important: graduate schools (HBS/HMS/HLS/SEAS) maintain separate fellowship and scholarship programs (need-based and merit/need hybrid). For example, HBS reports approximately 50% of MBA students receive HBS fellowships; awards range from $2,000 to $87,000 per year depending on need and merit

Career Outcomes and Employment Statistics at Harvard University

Harvard graduates enjoy exceptional career prospects across all fields, with strong employment rates, competitive salaries, and access to powerful professional networks.

Overall Employment Statistics

Undergraduate Career Outcomes by Major

Harvard Business School (Class of 2025)

Employment Outcomes:

• 65% sought traditional employment
• 90% received job offers within 3 months
• 84% accepted offers
• 35% chose alternative paths (entrepreneurship, startups)

Salary Data:

• Median base salary: $184,500
• Median signing bonus: $30,000
• Median variable bonus: $47,500
• Lifetime median income: $8.5+ million

Industry Distribution:

Entrepreneurship:

• 150+ graduates launched own ventures (Class of 2025)
• 80+ joined startups
• 14% started businesses rather than seeking employment

Harvard Kennedy School (Class of 2024)

• 86% settled (employed, continuing education, or intentionally not seeking)
• 82% employed within graduation year
• 68% in public sector or nonprofit organizations
• 54% returned to previous employers (often in advanced roles)
• Geographic reach: 46 countries and 27 U.S. states

Top Employers

Harvard graduates are recruited by leading organizations worldwide:

• Technology: Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Salesforce
• Consulting: McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company
• Finance: Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Blackstone, Bain Capital
• Healthcare: Partners HealthCare, Mayo Clinic, major pharmaceutical companies
• Government: U.S. State Department, international organizations, policy institutes
• Nonprofit: Major foundations, international development organizations

Notable Alumni: Harvard University

Below is a compact table with representative, high-visibility Harvard alumni in the categories you requested. Harvard’s alumni list is extensive (8 U.S. Presidents, dozens of Nobel laureates, countless CEOs and founders), so this is a curated, verifiable sample.

Conclusion 

Harvard University represents a unique equation: Historical Legacy + Unrivaled Resources + Selective Admissions + Interdisciplinary Agility. It is not an ivory tower but a dynamic, sometimes contentious, engine of discovery and influence. Its challenges – navigating societal debates, ensuring accessibility, advancing knowledge frontiers – are magnified by its prominence. For the student who gains admission, it offers a transformative environment defined by peer brilliance, faculty mentorship, and lifelong affiliation. As it approaches its 400th anniversary in 2036, Harvard continues to calibrate its immense power towards stewarding excellence and addressing the world’s most pressing problems, defining the gold standard for higher education in the 21st century.

FAQs

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