| Cost of Attendance: Harvard vs. Private Non-Profit College | ||
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | Private Non-Profit College | |
| Tuition | $54,269 | $38,768 |
| Fees | $4,807 | $3,304to $4,551 |
| Housing | $12,424 | $13,028 |
Plentiful Financial Aid
One of the benefits of a uniquely successful alumni pool is that many give back to the school and make it easier for low- and middle-income students to attend the institution. The school’s endowment helps make it possible to offer generous financial aid packages to those in need.The fund balance was $50.9 billion by the end of 2022, according to the school's annual report.
Attending Harvard costs the same or less than a state school for roughly 90% percent of families with students enrolled. According to the university, more than half of the students enrolled at Harvard receive need-based scholarships.
Household income determines how much families are required to contribute to the cost of education at Harvard. As of the 2023-2024 school year:
- Families with a household income below $85,000 aren't required to make any contribution to students' educational costs.
- Students from families that make between $85,000 and $150,000 typically have to kick in between 0% and 10% of their family income.
- Those who come from families making slightly more also receive considerable financial support from the school.
The average financial aid package per student during the 2021-2022 school year was $61,900. This figure includes federal and outside scholarships. Meanwhile, out-of-pocket costs for students who had to pay amounted to $13,000.
The university says that its admissions process is entirely need-blind. If you come from a lower-income family and are eligible to receive a sizable financial aid package, you theoretically have the same chance of admission as someone from a wealthier family. While international students cannot receive federal financial aid awards, they are eligible for university funds, which can help alleviate the cost of attending the institution.
Harvard's endowment lost 1.8% in value between 2021 and 2022 because of "the poor performance of global equity markets."
Big Dividends Down the Road
A Harvard education is, by nearly any measure, an amazing investment even when you factor out the financial aid you may receive. Having the school on a resume offers an enormous leg up on the competition for many employers, including some Wall Street banks and prominent consulting firms. According to a 2022 survey by the school newspaper, more than half of those graduating expected to earn $70,000 or more in their first year on the job.
Here's another important fact. Attending Harvard leads graduates to valuable connections as their careers unfold, allowing them to sustain their success. PayScale's College Salary Report suggested Harvard graduates are among the top earners nationally when it comes to salary at the midpoint of their careers. Graduates who only have an undergraduate degree have median earnings of $156,200 at the mid-career mark, with Harvard ranking sixth in the country in that category. The median income increases to $169,000 by mid-career for those with a graduate degree. Keep in mind that earnings fluctuate based on a graduate's job and type of degree.
PayScale also ranks American universities based on their 20-year return on investment (ROI). Harvard took the 17th spot, even before factoring in financial aid. When you factor in getting financial aid and compare Harvard graduates only to those from private colleges and those paying out-of-state tuition at public universities, it jumps to the eighth position with a median 20-year net payout of $1,231,000.
Founded in 1636, Harvard is the country’s oldest post-secondary institution and is the alma mater of many noteworthy figures, including a number of U.S. presidents and Nobel Laureates.
Harvard's Demographics and Diversity Issues
According to the school's website, Harvard is committed to diversity. Home to students from more than 100 different countries, Harvard states that it aims to register diverse individuals with different backgrounds, beliefs, and financial situations. The ethnicities of the admitted class of 2025 were broken up as follows:
Harvard Admissions Statistics by Ethnicity
But the school has come under fire for what some allege is a discriminatory admissions process. A student advocacy group called Students for Fair Admissions filed a lawsuit against the school in 2014, alleging that Harvard's admissions process was race-based and discriminated against Asian Americans. Both the lower court and the federal appeals court that presided over the case found that the school's practices were not discriminatory.
Drew Gilpin Faust, who was president of Harvard in 2016, created a task force to address diversity issues at the school, including gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality. The report made a series of recommendations such as the hiring of diverse staff, improved mentoring, and departmental plans to advance inclusion.
How Much Does It Cost to Go to Harvard University for 4 Years?
A four-year undergraduate degree program at Harvard University costs over $217,000 without room and board or any other fees. Financial aid can significantly cut down the out-of-pocket expenses for those who qualify and need it the most.
How Much Is Harvard Tuition?
The tuition for the 2023-24 academic year at Harvard is $54,269, up from $52,659 in the previous academic year.
How Much Financial Aid Will I Get at Harvard?
The amount of financial aid you receive depends on your household income. According to Harvard, the average amount of aid received per student was $61,900. This amount included scholarships from the school as well as federal and outside aid.
Is Harvard Ever Free?
The university states that one of its main goals is to be more affordable and doesn't require students to take out loans to fund their education. Students whose household income falls between $85,000 and $150,000 usually contribute between 0% and 10% of their annual income toward costs. Anyone with a household income above that threshold may still qualify for financial aid. Those whose incomes are below $85,000 won't pay anything.
Can You Get Into Harvard With Money Alone?
The Harvard admissions process is need-blind, which means having money doesn't necessarily mean you'll be accepted to the school. Harvard has a generous financial aid program that is need-based, meaning a lack of money won't prevent you from attending.
The Bottom Line
Harvard may have one of the country’s highest tuition rates, but many students pay far less—thanks to a hefty endowment and strong financial aid program. Regardless, research suggests that an education at this illustrious school is a terrific long-term investment.
