Harvard University Price

Good day! A dream school of mine is Harvard, but I'm a bit shaken about the cost. Does anyone know the overall price of attending Harvard University? I don't want to get my hopes up too high if it's out of my price range. Thanks!

Hello! As of the 2024-2025 academic year, the total cost of attendance at Harvard University, including tuition, room and board, and other estimated costs, is around $82,000 per year. But don't let this number scare you!

Harvard has a very generous financial aid policy. The majority of students receive some form of financial aid, with over 70% receiving grant aid, which does not have to be repaid. The average grant award is about $55,000. Financial aid at Harvard is solely need-based, meaning it is based on your family's financial situation rather than any merit or talent.

Moreover, families with an income below $85,000 annually are expected to contribute nothing towards the cost of attendance thanks to Harvard's Financial Aid Initiative. For families earning between $85,000 and $150,000, the expected contribution is between 0% and 10% of their income.

Keep in mind, Harvard's financial aid offices are committed to ensuring every admitted student can afford to attend, no matter their financial circumstances. They will work with you to meet full demonstrated need, so the price of Harvard can very much be within your reach!

My advice would be to not rule Harvard out solely due to cost. I recommend taking advantage of Harvard’s Net Price Calculator on their Financial Aid Office's webpage (https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/net-price-calculator). It provides a reasonable estimate of what your family contribution would be if you were to attend Harvard, based on the financial information you input. This way, you can get a more personalized estimate of your cost of attendance.

Remember, applying for financial aid does not impact your chances of admission at Harvard. They have a need-blind admissions policy, which means your financial circumstances are not taken into account when making admissions decisions. Hence, I strongly suggest applying regardless!