Harvard University

In 2021, tuition for full-time Harvard students was $47,730 a year.

In 2021, tuition increased 3%–from $46,340 the previous year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Harvard University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Harvard University is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Massachusetts as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency..

Attending an insitution where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save on the total cost of attending college. Be sure to check your state's eligibility criteria for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Massachusetts colleges

Tuition for International Students at Harvard

Tuition at Harvard is the same for all students.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or Harvard-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Harvard:

• On-campus jobs
• Harvard-specific loans
• Harvard-specific scholarships

Harvard Housing Expenses and Other Costs

Tuition is not the only cost of attending college;there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Harvard.

House and Food Costs at Harvard

Housing and campus dining at Harvard costs $17,682 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat in the school dining halls. Students who live off campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $10,927.

Board costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Harvard

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs. Full-time undergrads at Harvard pay $4,195 in fees every year they are enrolled.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer resources for students with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Harvard

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school?. Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area is sometimes expensive, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Harvard University campus is located in a urban setting in Massachusetts, near Boston.

Other College Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to factor in the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Harvard.

Total Cost of Harvard

2021 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$47,730
Room and Board	$17,682
Board Only	$6,755
Yearly Fees	$4,195
Other expenses	$3,193

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$73,800
Off-Campus	$62,873

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

The majority of Harvard undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2021, 3,745 of the 5,222 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Harvard meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $62,338 a year. Around 20% of Harvard undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Harvard graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $18,197 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$14,211
State Loans	$6,000
Harvard-Specific Loans	$10,679
Private Loans	$55,796

Most Common Loans for Harvard Students
Federal Loans	5%
Institutional Loans	17%
Private loans	2%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Harvard financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Harvard

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2021, Harvard awarded 3,742 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $218.4 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $8.47 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Harvard University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Harvard students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Harvard was $62,338 in 2021. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Harvard seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$11,462
Off-Campus	$535

What will attending Harvard really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Harvard's net cost calculator on their website.

Harvard Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Harvard University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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