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Harvard University: Fees, Courses, Rankings & Admission 2024

Map Pin IconCambridge, USA
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  • A++ Shiksha Grade
  • Private University
  • Institute Icon3 Campuses
  • Estd. 1636
Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 8 Nov '23, by Anushree Sinha (Study Abroad Expert)

About Harvard University

Accordion Icon V3
Year of establishment1636
WebsiteGo to Website External Link Icon
Accepted Exams
TOEFLPTE+3 More
Total International Students6597
Size of Campus in acres5457
Faculty/Student Ratio7
Endowments ValueUS Dollar 50 billion
No.of Campuses3
Accommodation expenses12424 USD for 1 sharing (UG),16200 USD for 1 sharing (PG)
Meal expenses7950 USD (UG),6030 USD (PG)
International Students WebsiteGo to Website External Link Icon
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Commonly asked questions
On Highlights

Q:   Is Harvard better than IIT?

A: 

Harvard University and IIT are very well-known institutions worldwide and have their own strengths as well as weaknesses. According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, Harvard University has claimed the spot #4, whereas IIT(Bombay) ranks #149. On the basis of world workings, Harvard University has an upper hand.

Mentioned below is the comparison between both the universities on the basis of some other parameters that can help you choose the better university for you:

Parameters

Harvard University

IIT

Acceptance Rate

4%

<1%*

QS Rankings

#4

#149

Annual Tuition Fee (B.Tech)

INR 45.1 L

8 L - 20 L

Average Package

$175,000 = INR 14.5L

INR 21.82 LPA

*the acceptance rate of IIT is much lower than that of Harvard since the number of applicants applying to IIT is much larger.

Students at Harvard can choose their major according to their preference, however IIT's majors are allotted according to the candidate's score/percentile. Also, Harvard accepts applicants on the basis of their overall profile. Whereas, IIT accepts candidates solely on the basis of their score/percentile.

Q:   Which is better: Harvard University or Oxford University?

A: 

Harvard University as well as the University of Oxford are two most prestigious universities worldwide and part of the top 5 universities in the world. When it comes to rankings, Oxford University is just a level above Harvard, with the rank #3 in World Univerties. Whereas, the latter has obtained the rank #4. Also, Harvard is part of the prestigious Ivy League institutions. Mentioned below is the comparison between both of these globally renowned universities one the basis of some crucial parameters:

ParametersHarvard UniversityOxford University
QS World University Rankings 2024#4#3
Acceptance Rate4%18%
Tuition Fees (MBA)INR 62.1 LINR 72.6 L
Average Salary in INRINR 1.45 CrINR 69.4 L

Q:   Is it hard to get into Harvard University?

A: 

Getting into Harvard University is quite competitive but not impossible. The applicants can get into Harvard once they have outstanding academic grades. Harvard University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 is 3.4%. Apart from the academic achievements, Harvard University also looks for these qualities in students:

  • Growth and Potential
  • Interests and Activities (Extracurricular)
  • Personal Character
  • Contribution to the Harvard Community

Q:   Why is Harvard University so famous?

A: 

Harvard University has a great reputation because of its esteemed faculty, multi-talented, top-rate facilities and high-achieving students, tremendous endowment fund and international prestige. In short, Harvard University is known for its world-renowned faculty, state-of-the-art resources and individualized instruction. It is also a diverse university and students at Harvard represent all fifty states and more than 140 nationalities around the globe. These students from over the world and the U.S. bring their talent, intelligence, and curiosity to Harvard.

Q:   How many international students study in Harvard University?

A: 

Harvard University is culturally a very rich institution and admits diverse students with far-ranging talents and interests from every part of the globe. Total student head count is 25,266 and international students make up about 15.4% of Harvard University's total student population.

Harvard University's admission statistics of 2022:

Particulars

Student Count

Total Student Enrollment

25,266

Total Undergraduates

7,240

Total Graduates

14,373

Harvard University Fees, Duration & Entry Requirements 2024

Accordion Icon V3
Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MIM(5 courses)
INR 18 L - 62 L
Duration: 9 months-2 years
Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 100 & Above, Duolingo: 125 & Above
MBA/PGDM(3 courses)
INR 62 L - 72 L
Duration: 21 months-2 years
Exam Accepted: GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL
B.Sc.(17 courses)
INR 41 L - 45 L
Duration: 4 years
Exam Accepted: TOEFL
B.A.(24 courses)
INR 41 L - 45 L
Duration: 4 years
Exam Accepted: TOEFL, SAT
MS(16 courses)
INR 18 L - 72 L
Duration: 1 year-3 years
Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 80 - 103, IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5, Duolingo: 125 & Above
M.A.(15 courses)
INR 17 L - 44 L
Duration: 12 months-3 years
Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 80 - 100, IELTS: 6.5 - 7, GRE
B.E. / B.Tech(5 courses)
INR 45 L
Duration: 4 years
Exam Accepted: TOEFL
LL.M.(1 course)
INR 59 L
Duration: 1 year
Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 100 & Above
BBA(1 course)
INR 45 L
Duration: 4 years
Exam Accepted: TOEFL
B.Ed(1 course)
INR 41 L
Duration: 4 years
Exam Accepted: TOEFL
View Course Wise Fees ->
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility

Q:   Does Harvard University require IELTS score?

A: 

Yes, Harvard University's admission requirements for international students includes English language requirements, which can be fulfilled by submitting one of the following globally recognised English proficiency exam scores;

English Proficiency Exam ScoreMinimum Qualifying Score
IELTS7.0 & Above
TOEFL100 & Above
Duolingo English Test125 & Above

Note: Applicants must meet the English proficiency requirement prior to registering for course (s). Therefore, they are encouraged to submit documents before the start of registration.

The English language proficiency scores must be submitted by the following deadlines:

  • Fall term: August 24, 2023
  • January session: December 14, 2023
  • Spring term: January 11, 2024

Documents submitted post this deadline may not be eligible for review at Harvard University. Hence, students must be mindful of the same and apply to the university within the deadline, along with submitting all the relevant documents required by Harvard.

Q:   How can an Indian student get into Harvard?

A: 

Harvard University is a part of the prestigious ACT);

  •  and also ranks among the top 5 universities in the world. This globally renowned university is very selective when it comes to admissions and admits students based on their holistic profile and overall academic as well as behavioural character. Indian students planning to pursue higher studies in Harvard University must be at the top of their class in order to secure an admission in this highly competitive university. Harvard University has a set of admission requirements for international students and they are listed below:

    • Digital application along with $90 = INR 7488* application fee;
    • Official academic transcripts;
    • English proficiency exam scores (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo);
    • Standardized test scores (IELTS/ACT);
    • GMAT/GRE scores;
    • Letter of intent/Statement of purpose;
    • Letter of recommendation (s);
    • Resume;
    • Portfolio; and
    • Interview.

    * 1 USD = INR 83.20

  • Q:   Is studying in Harvard University expensive?

    A: 

    Harvard University is a part of the prestigious Ivy League universities and also ranks among the top 5 universities in the world with the spot #4 in QS World University Rankings 2024. It offers more than 50 fields of study to undergraduates and over 100 graduate courses Most of these courses rank in the top 100 according to the QS Subject Rankings. The annual tuition fees required to pursue a degree course at UC is around 40L on an average, which makes it an extremely expensive study abroad option for Indian students. However, the return on investment is quite impressive as Harvard University offers package in crores to top-tier students. Check out the table listed below for course specific fees requirements:

    Courses1st Year Tuition Fees
    MBA/PGDM (2 courses)
    INR 62.1 L
    MS (16 courses)
    INR 17.6 L - 71.4 L
    B.A. (24 courses)
    INR 41.2 L - 45 L
    M.A. (15 courses)
    INR 16.5 L - 43.5 L
    B.Sc. (17 courses)
    INR 41.2 L - 45 L
    BBA (1 course)
    INR 45 L

    Q:   What qualities does Harvard University look for in students?

    A: 

    Harvard University pays attention to each applicant while granting admission to international students. If we talk about Harvard College, then admissions are offered after identifying students who will be the best educators of one another and their professors. Some of the other things that are kept in mind while granting admission to students are their growth and potential, interests and activities, personal character, contribution to the Harvard community.

    Harvard University Scholarships 2024

    View all 165 scholarshipsRight Arrow Icon

    Harvard University Admission Dates 2024

    • Application fees :USD 75 - 250
    • Type of deadline :Depends on course
    Document IconDocuments
    Type of documentsApplicable for
    SOPNeeded for few courses
    LORNeeded for few courses
    EssaysNeeded for few courses
    CVNeeded for few courses
    Additional documentsRequired
    How to Write Harvard MBA Essays in 2024?
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    Calendar IconImportant dates
    Intake seasonDeadline
    Fall1ˢᵗ Dec 2023 - 11ᵗʰ Jan 2024
    Spring15ᵗʰ Apr 2023
    Admission details of all coursesRight Arrow Icon
    Q&A Icon
    Commonly asked questions
    On Admissions

    Q:   When can I start applying to Harvard University?

    A: 

    Harvard University provides students the opportunity to apply under either Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision program, both of which allow the candidate to compare admission and financial aid offers from other institutions and to wait until May 1 to make a final college choice.

    For the Restrictive Early Action, the final date to apply is November 1, 2023

    For the Regular Decision Program, the final date to apply is January 1, 2024

    Students can apply to Harvard using the Common Application which opened on August 1, 2023, or the Coalition Application which opened on August 15, 2023.

    Q:   How to apply to Harvard University?

    A: 

    The Harvard University application requirements are the same for all the same for US residents as well as overseas applicants. Hence, in order to apply to Harvard University, all the first-year candidates must complete the Common Application or the Coalition Application along with the required supplements. The university is unbiased and has no preference. Each application is treated equally by the Admissions Committee of Harvard University. Refer to Harvard University Admissions for further details.

    Q:   How long does it take for Harvard University to send offers?

    A: 

    Harvard University provides students the opportunity to apply under either Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision program, both of which allow the candidate to compare admission and financial aid offers from other institutions and to wait until May 1 to make a final college choice.

    • Restrictive Early Action candidates will receive notification by Mid-December, 2023.
    • Regular Decision candidates will receive notification by the March-End, 2024.

    Harvard University Placements

    CourseMedian Salary
    MIM
    ₹145.5 LPA
    MBA/PGDM
    ₹145.5 LPA

    Top Recruiters

    A T Kearney
    IBM
    Accenture
    Credit Suisse
    Google
    Amazon
    Adobe
    American Express
    Amadeus
    Barclays Bank
    BMW
    Cisco Systems
    Coca-Cola
    Exxon
    Facebook
    General Motors
    Goldman Sachs
    General Electric
    HONEYWELL
    IBM
    JP Morgan Chase
    Johnson Johnson
    Linkedin
    Microsoft
    Morgan Stanley
    Walmart
    Viacom
    UBER
    Samsung
    Procter Gamble
    Visit official career services website External Link Icon
    View placement detailsRight Arrow Icon

    Harvard University Accommodation & Meals

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    Commonly asked questions
    On Accommodation & Meals

    Q:   What is the cost of living in Harvard University for international students?

    A: 
    Harvard University is considered to be an affordable study destination for native as well as international students. Also, Harvard is very generous and even offers 100% need-based scholarships for students in need. On a usual basis, Harvard University's cost of attendance sums upto about $82,950-$87,450 and students can refer to the table below for the breakdown of 2023-2024 cost of attendance:
    ParticularsCost of AttendanceCost in INR
    Tuition$54,269INR 45,15,568
    Fees$4,807INR 3,99,976
    Housing$12,424INR 1,03,376
    Food$7,950INR 6,61,496
    Subtotal - billed costs$79,450INR 66,10,808
    Estimated personal expenses$2,500INR 2,08,017
    Estimated books$1,000INR 83,207
    Estimated transportation costs$0-$4,500INR 3,74,432
    Total billed and unbilled costs$82,950-$87,450INR 69,02,033 - 72,76,465
    Conversion Used: 1 USD = INR 83.21

    Harvard University Rankings 2024

    A++
    Overall University Grade
    by Shiksha
    #5
    #21
    Business Economics
    A+
    #4
    Mechanical Engineering
    B++
    #13
    #23
    Entrepreneurship
    A
    #4
    Q&A Icon
    Commonly asked questions
    On Rankings

    Q:   What is the rank of Harvard University in the world?

    A: 

    Harvard University is not only a top-ranking university is US, but one of the top 5 universities in the world. In QS World University Rankings 2024, Harvard University has secured the rank #4, which is a notch above from its rank #5 in 2023 as well as 2022 rankings. According to the US News and World Report Rankings, Harvard stands tall at the #1 position since 2019. When talking about Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, Harvard University has claimed the spot #2 in 2023, which is the same as its ranking in 2022.

    YearQS World University RankingsUs News and World Report Rankings
    2024#4#3
    2023#5#1
    2022#5#1

    Q:   Which is the number 1 university in USA?

    A: 

    As per the QS World University Rankings 2024 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the top ranking university in the US. Whereas, Harvard has been ranked 2nd in the US top universities list. According to the Times Higher Education rankings, the top 3 universities in the US are Stanford University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Other top universities in the US include California Institute of Technology,  Princeton University,  University of California – Berkeley,  Yale University,  Columbia University,  The University of Chicago,  University of Pennsylvania, etc.

    Study in USA

    Average Accommodation Expense

    INR 6.7 L (based on 146 colleges)

    Average Meals Expense

    INR 3.9 L (based on 116 colleges)

    Part Time Work
    Permitted

    International students are allowed to work part-time for 20 hours per week during an academic term.

    e... Read more about part time work

    Post Study Work Permit
    Permitted

    Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a one-year work and stay-back permit given to international students o... Read more about post study work permit

    Cost of Visa Application
    USD 185 = INR 15,380.9
    Visa Application Process
    Simple

    You will need an F1 visa if your course of study is a full-time degree.

    e... Read more about visa application process

    Hot Job Sectors

    IT, Tech, Energy, Healthcare, E-commerce and Business services are some of the popular job sectors in the U... Read more about hot job sectors

    Economy Growth Rate

    According to the BEA (Bureau of Economic Affairs), the Real GDP of USA was 2.1% in 2022.

    e... Read more about economy growth rate

    Q&A Icon
    Commonly asked questions
    On Study in Country

    Q:   What are the top-ranked universities in USA?

    A: 

    USA is one of the most popular countries for study abroad options for international students and is a hub of globally renowned universities. According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, some top universities in USA are University Institute of Technology,  Harvard University,  Stanford University,  top of Chicago,  University of Pennsylvania and many more.

    Given below is the list of top Universities in USA as mentioned in the prominent rankings.

    University

    QS Global Rankings 2024

    U.S. News & World Report Rankings for 2023-24

    University Institute of Technology Harvard (MIT)

    #1

    #2

    Harvard University

    #4

    #1

    Stanford University

    #5

    #3

    top of California, Berkeley (UCB)

    #10

    #4

    top of Chicago

    #11

    #22

    University of Pennsylvania

    #12

    #15

    Cornell University

    #13

    #21

    Harvard6 Institute of Technology (Caltech)

    #15

    #9

    Harvard6 University

    #16

    #11

    Princeton University

    #17

    #16

    Q:   Can students work post-study in USA?

    A: 

    Post-work study permit is one of the most crucial factors for students aiming to pursue higher studies in USA. On the completion of a degree programme in the US, international students are permitted Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is a one-year work and stay back permit. OPT is further classified into two types; Pre-Completion OPT and Post-Completion OPT. With the help of OPT, students get the post-study work permit to stay in US for a year after completing their degree program.

    Harvard
    FAQs

    Q:   Has any Indian studied from Harvard University?

    A: 

    Some of the Indians who are included in the notable alumni of Harvard University are:

    • Ratan Tata
    • Ashish Nanda
    • Jayant Sinha
    • Anand Mahindra
    • Kapil Sibal

    About the author

    author image
    Anushree Sinha

    Study Abroad Expert

    Anushree is a Graduate in Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and takes keen interest in content creation. She has affinity for writing and travelling around the world takes the top spot on her bucket list. Bringing out the creativ...Read Full Bio

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    Size of cityMedium
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