Massachusetts · College profile

Harvard University: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs

Harvard University is a private nonprofit four-year university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, enrolling about 7,601 undergraduates. It admits roughly 4% of applicants, which makes it highly selective relative to four-year colleges nationally.

SAT and ACT scores at Harvard University

Measure	Score
SAT 25th percentile	1510
SAT 75th percentile	1580
SAT midpoint (estimated)	1550
ACT 25th percentile	34
ACT 75th percentile	36
ACT midpoint (estimated)	35
Test policy	Required

A quarter of enrolled students scored below 1510 and a quarter scored above 1580. Treat 1580 as the target that makes your score a clear strength in this applicant pool, and 1510 as the point below which the rest of your application has to carry more weight.

The two ranges describe the same class, so submit whichever test places you higher in its own range — an ACT 36 and an SAT 1580 are read as equivalent here.

Admissions and selectivity

Measure	Value
Acceptance rate	3.6%
Undergraduate enrollment	7,601
Student–faculty ratio	7:1
Setting	City
Control	Private Nonprofit

Cost and financial aid

Measure	Amount
In-state tuition and fees	$61,676
Out-of-state tuition and fees	$61,676
Room and board	$21,190
Average net price (first-year students)	$19,066
Students receiving Pell grants	16.4%
Students taking federal loans	4.4%
Median federal loan debt at graduation	$12,500

Net price is the number that matters: $19,066 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.

Graduation and earnings outcomes

Measure	Value
Graduation rate (6-year)	97.6%
First-year retention	98.3%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$101,817
Students who are first-generation	25.7%

How your score compares

Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside Harvard University's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.

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Frequently asked questions

What SAT score do you need for Harvard University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Harvard University scored between 1510 and 1580 on the SAT. A score at or above 1580 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students; below 1510 the rest of your application carries more weight.

What ACT score do you need for Harvard University?

The middle 50% ACT range at Harvard University is 34 to 36. Aim for 36 to make the score a clear strength.

What is the acceptance rate at Harvard University?

Harvard University admits about 3.6% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.

Does Harvard University require SAT or ACT scores?

The most recent federal data lists Harvard University's testing policy as "Required". Policies change yearly, so confirm with the admissions office for your application cycle.

How much does Harvard University cost?

Published tuition and fees are $61,676 in-state and $61,676 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $19,066 after grant aid.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.

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