The cost to attend Harvard University varies depending on the program and the student's family income, but here are the key details for the 2025-2026 academic year: Undergraduate (Harvard College) Costs:
- Tuition: Approximately $59,320 per year
- Fees: Around $5,476
- Housing: About $13,532
- Food: Around $8,598
- Total estimated cost of attendance: Roughly $86,926 per year, including tuition, housing, food, fees, and other expenses
Graduate Tuition Example (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences):
- Full tuition: $57,328 per year
- Reduced tuition and continuation fees apply in some cases
MBA Program (Harvard Business School):
- Tuition: $78,700 for a 9-month academic year, plus additional course and program fees
Financial Aid and Tuition Waivers:
- Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, Harvard College will waive tuition for students from families with annual incomes of $200,000 or less, making tuition effectively free for these students
- For families earning $100,000 or less, students can attend entirely tuition-free and receive additional grants to assist with other costs
- Harvard’s financial aid is need-based, not merit-based, and covers tuition plus other expenses depending on financial circumstances
Summary:
- Without financial aid, the total cost for an undergraduate student is about $87,000 per year.
- With financial aid, many students from families earning up to $200,000 pay no tuition, and those from families earning $100,000 or less can attend completely tuition-free with additional support.
- Other expenses like housing, food, and personal costs remain but may also be covered partially by aid.
This makes Harvard's education financially accessible to a broad range of students despite its high sticker price
