School Overview
Harvard College is the undergraduate division of Harvard University. It is located in Cambridge, Massachusett, where it was established in 1636 as the “New College” by the Great General Court (Britain’s colonial legislature). It was renamed Harvard College just three years later in 1639, in honor of John Harvard, one of the college’s first donors. It is considered the oldest higher education in the United States as well as one of most prestigious.
The school’s first students graduated in 1642. In 1666 Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, a native American and aborigine, graduated from Harvard – the first indian to graduate from college during the colonial period. While historically Harvard was an all male school, today it is completely coeducational.
As a division within Harvard University, Harvard College is in charge of various matter relating to undergraduate students, including advising, admissions, student life, housing, and athletics. However, undergraduate instruction is the responsibility of Faculty of Arts and Science department at Harvard University.
Academics
Havard College admits about 8% of undergraduate applicants each year, which equates into about 2,000 students. Of all applicants accepted, about 75% end up attending. Harvard is a highly selective higher education institution, and only smartest and brightest get in. Over 90% of students admitted to Harvard are first time college freshman. The college accepts very few transfer students from other colleges and universities.
Harvard College is one of the few undergraduate schools that awards the Artium Baccalaureus (A.B.), a four-year degree that, for all intents and purposes, is the same as the Bachelor of Art (B.A.) awarded by most four-year colleges and universities. However, many entering students who’ve complete AP courses in high school are able to complete Harvard’s AB degree in just three years. At the undergraduate level, Harvard also awards the Scientiarum Baccalaureus (S.B.), usually a five year degree, somewhat similar to the Bachelor of Science awarded at other higher education institutions. Finally, Harvard College offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Music, in partnership with the New England Conservatory of Music.
About a year and half into their undergraduate program, students are required to select a field of concentration – commonly referred to an “academic major” at other universities. Harvard College offers 50 undergraduate fields of concentration for students to choose from. Students may also select a secondary field (a.k.a. “minor”), or they may declare a joint concentration (a.k.a. “double major”) where they choose to pursue an undergraduate degree in two fields of study. Finally, undergraduate students have the option of designing their own program known as a special concentration.
While completing their undergraduate degree, students must fulfill general education requirements in eight areas of study. These include:
- Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding
- Culture and Belief
- Empirical and Mathematical Reasoning
- Ethical Reasoning
- Science of Living Systems
- Science of the Physical Universe
- Societies of the World
- United States in the World
Harvard’s undergraduate academic experience is designed around the motto “know a little of everything, and one thing well”, an adage by Abbott Lawrence Lowell (a past Harvard president). To this end, Harvard’s undergraduate curriculum focuses on introducing students to an array of intellectual areas as they pursue an in-depth education in on concentration.
Online Degrees and Courses Through Harvard Extension
Through Harvard Extension School, Harvard College offers students the opportunity to earn a certificate, take an online course, or work toward a degree online. Currently, Harvard offers over 200 online courses for students to choose from covering 60 academic fields. Many of Harvard’s non-credit online courses are open to the public. In order to take courses that count toward a degree, a student must first be accepted to Harvard College and have declared their concentration (major). Most degrees offered at Harvard are not entirely online but have online components. Classroom attendance and participation is still required of undergraduate students.
General Information
Admission Office 86 Brattle Street Cambridge, MA 02138 (617) 495-1551 Fax: (617) 495-8821 [email protected] Contact: William Fitzsimmons Dean of Admissions |
Main Address 86 Brattle Street Cambridge, MA 02138 (617) 495-1000 |
Size Total undergrads: 6,678 First-time degree-seeking freshmen: 1,666 Degree-seeking undergrads: 6,678 Graduate enrollment: 9,789 Setting |
Degrees offered: Bachelor’s |
Admissions Information
Application Fee College has an application fee: Yes Regular application fee: $65 Online application fee: $65 |
Enrollment Rates Percent applicants admitted: 8% Percent of students who return for sophomore year: 97% |
College Majors
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies African-American Studies B Arts, Visual & Performing Art History/Criticism/Conservation B Biological & Biomedical Sciences Biochemistry B Computer & Information Sciences Computer Science B Engineering Engineering Science B English Language & Literature English Language & Literature – General B Foreign Language & Literature Classics B History History – General B Liberal Arts & Sciences Liberal Arts & Sciences B Mathematics Applied Mathematics B Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Classical/Ancient Mediterranean/Near Eastern Studies B Natural Resources & Conservation Environmental Studies B Philosophy & Religion Philosophy B Physical Sciences Atomic/Molecular Physics B Psychology Psychology – General B Social Sciences Anthropology B |
Degree levels for each major are designated by the following letters:
B = Bachelor’s degree C = Certificate or diploma |
*We do not guarantee the accuracy of information on this page. All information is subject to change. You should confirm all information with a college admissions officer.
Harvard University Highlights
School Information
Phone Number: | (617) 495-1000 |
Website: | www.harvard.edu |
Type of School: | 4-year, Private non-profit |
Apply Online: | college.harvard.edu/admissions/application-process/application-requirements |
Address: | Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138 |
Setting: | City: Midsize |
Campus Housing: | Yes |
Students & Programs
Student Population: | 31,655 |
6-yr Graduation Rate (Bachelor's): | 96% |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 7 to 1 |
Distance Learning Programs: | Yes |
Distance Learning Students*: | 25,840 (82% of total students) |
Degree Levels Offered: | Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate |
* Students taking at least 1 distance learning course
Tuition & Financial Aid*
In-state Tuition: | $51,925 |
Out-of-state Tuition: | $51,925 |
% of Students Receiving Financial Aid: | 73% |
Avg. Amount of Grant or Scholarship Aid Awarded: | $55,455 |
* Full-time beginning undergraduate students. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
Harvard University Programs
See the degree programs that are offered at Harvard University.
Degree Name | Cert | Assoc | Bach | Mast | Doct |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Architecture and Related Services | 5 | 3 | |||
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies | 11 | 7 | 7 | ||
Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 8 | 17 | 22 | ||
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services | 1 | 8 | 3 | ||
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs | 1 | ||||
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services | 1 | 3 | 1 | ||
Education | 3 | 1 | 13 | 6 | |
Engineering | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | |
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-related Fields | 1 | ||||
English Language and Literature/Letters | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | 1 | 1 | |||
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 28 | 13 | 10 | ||
Health Professions and Related Programs | 12 | 1 | 17 | 9 | |
History | 4 | 3 | 4 | ||
Legal Professions and Studies | 2 | 1 | |||
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
Mathematics and Statistics | 3 | 4 | 3 | ||
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 | 7 | 3 | ||
Natural Resources and Conservation | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
Philosophy and Religious Studies | 3 | 2 | 2 | ||
Physical Sciences | 8 | 9 | 6 | ||
Psychology | 3 | 4 | 4 | ||
Public Administration and Social Service Professions | 4 | 4 | |||
Social Sciences | 7 | 8 | 6 | ||
Theology and Religious Vocations | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||
Visual and Performing Arts | 1 | 6 | 8 | 3 | |
Grand total | 21 | 2 | 96 | 148 | 102 |
* Based on programs that produced 2019-2020 graduates
Tuition & Financial Aid
See what it costs to enroll at Harvard University and how many students are receiving scholarships, grants, or loans as financial aid to help cover the costs of tuition.
Undergraduate Student Tuition
Average tuition and fees for academic year:
Tuition and Fees | 2019-2020 |
---|---|
In-state | $51,925 |
Out-of-state | $51,925 |
Books and supplies | $1,000 |
Graduate Student Tuition
Average tuition and fees for academic year:
Tuition and Fees | 2019-2020 |
---|---|
In-state | $49,214 |
Out-of-state | $49,214 |
Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2018-2019
Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
Type of Aid | Number Receiving Aid | % Receiving Aid | Avg. Amt. of Aid |
---|---|---|---|
Any student financial aid | 1,202 | 73% | – |
Grant or scholarship aid | 949 | 57% | $55,455 |
Student loan aid | 109 | 7% | $5,770 |
All Undergraduate Students
Type of Aid | Number Receiving Aid | % Receiving Aid | Avg. Amt. of Aid |
---|---|---|---|
Grant or scholarship aid | 4,363 | 44% | $49,372 |
Federal student loans | 156 | 2% | $5,978 |
Admissions & Enrollment
See the admission requirements for Harvard University. Find out how many students apply and how many are accepted. View a graphical breakdown of the gender, age, and ethnicity of currently enrolled Harvard University students.
Undergraduate Admissions, Fall 2020
Total | Male | Female | |
---|---|---|---|
Number of applicants | 43,330 | 21,730 | 21,600 | Percent admitted | 100% | 5% | 5% |
Percent admitted who enrolled | 4% | 4% | 4% |
Admissions Considerations
Required | Recommended | Optional | |
---|---|---|---|
Secondary school GPA | |||
Secondary school rank | |||
Secondary school record | |||
Completion of college-preparatory program | |||
Recommendations | |||
Formal demonstration of competencies | |||
Admission test scores | |||
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.) | |||
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language |
Harvard University Enrollment, Fall 2020
Total Enrollment | 31,655 |
---|---|
Undergraduate enrollment | 10,063 |
Graduate enrollment | 21,592 |
Undergraduate Attendance
Undergraduate Gender
Undergraduate Age
Undergraduate Race/Ethnicity
Undergraduate Distance Education
Undergraduates taking 100%, Some, or No Distance Education
Graduate Distance Education
Graduate students taking 100%, Some, or No Distance Education
Harvard University Accreditation
This institution is accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education
Specialized institution accreditations:
- American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
- Law (LAW) - Professional schools
- American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
- Predoctoral
- Post Doctoral - Advanced dental education programs (advanced education in general dentistry and general practice residency)
- Dental Public Health
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology- (OMP)
- Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics (including maxillofacial prosthetics and combined prosthodontics/maxillofacial prosthetics)
- Oral Medicine
- American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation
- Clinical Psychology (CLPSY) - PhD Doctoral programs
- Professional Psychology (IPSY) - Predoctoral internship programs
- Professional Psychology (IPSY) - Predoctoral internship programs
- Professional Psychology (IPSY) - Predoctoral internship programs
- Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
- Theology (THEOL) - Freestanding schools, as well as programs affiliated with larger institutions, offering graduate professional education for ministry and graduate study of theology
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Public Health (PHG) - Graduate level school of public health
- Liaison Committee on Medical Education
- Medicine (MED) - Programs leading to the M.D. degree
*General information for this school has been gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) database, a service provided by the U.S. Department of Education. CollegeAtlas.org does not guarantee the accuracy of information on this page. All information is subject to change. You should confirm all information with a college admissions officer.
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