Cost of Studying at Harvard University

Many students dream of studying at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Harvard University is top on the list. Founded in 1636, it is one of the oldest universities in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States of America. 

Studying at this prestigious school can sometimes seem like a pipe dream, especially considering the cost of tuition, room and board, books, materials, and other expenses. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the cost of attendance for international students at Harvard University to help you understand what it takes to attend one of the best universities in the world.

Study Costs at Harvard University

Choosing to study at Harvard University is a big decision and a costly one. If you are an international student, you may wonder how much it will cost to attend this school. Let us look at what you should expect to incur during your study period at this top-ranking institution.

Application Costs

One of the expenses for international students when studying at Harvard is application costs. The university requires all applicants to pay an application fee of $85, regardless of the program of study, citizenship, or country of residence. However, you might be lucky to have your application fee waived if you meet the set indicators proving your economic need. You can apply for the Restrictive Early Action Program by the first of November or the Regular Decision Program by the first of January.

In addition to the initial application fee, the university is more likely to ask international students to provide supplementary documents alongside the standard requirements. These can incur additional costs associated with their preparation and processing.

Tuition Costs

The tuition fees at Harvard University vary depending on the program of study, with some programs being higher than others. Whether you plan to study at the undergraduate or graduate level, let us look at what you might expect to pay in tuition at the institution.

Bachelor’s Tuition Costs

A bachelor’s degree program at Harvard University is very competitive among international students, with programs like business and computer science being popular. An undergraduate degree at this school will cost you around $56,550 yearly in tuition costs as a full-time student without any financial aid. You should also expect to pay an additional $3,534 for student services and $1,592 for health services per academic year.

Master’s Tuition Costs

Havard University is known to have some of the best master’s programs in the world, but they do not come cheaply. The master’s degree will cost you $55,656 for the first two years of study and $14,470 for the third and fourth years of study.

However, this amount could vary depending on the program you enroll in. For example, a Master of Science in Computational Science and Engineering or Data Science will cost you $63,624 for the complete program and $23,859 if you pursue the three-course rate/term. If you enroll for an MBA at Harvard, prepare yourself with $76,410 in tuition fees per academic year.

Ph.D. Tuition Costs

International students can pursue any of the accredited Ph.D. programs at Harvard University. For example, you can choose the Doctor of Philosophy in Education or Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences or Bioengineering. Just like the master’s students, you should expect to pay around $55,656 for the first two years of study and then $14,470 for the third and fourth years of your doctorate.

Students applying to the Graduate School of Education should expect to pay $60,102 in tuition fees for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences also charges $55,656 for the first two years of study.

Other Academic Costs at Harvard University

Apart from tuition costs, there are other expenses you will incur during the study period at Harvard University.

Books and Miscellaneous Expenses

If you are studying a master’s degree program, you should expect to pay around $1,000 for books and supplies. You can also plan to spend around $7,000 on miscellaneous expenses such as school activities (for example, student societies or sports teams).

Accommodation and Transportation

When budgeting to study at Harvard, you can plan for accommodation and transport. For instance, Harvard Law School’s dormitory housing starts at $8,361 per academic year, while the apartment housing starts at $16,002. The student residences are fully furnished with basic amenities.

With transportation, you can choose cheaper options like using public transport or renting a bike, which costs about $30 monthly at a maximum of $360 per year. You can also use trains and subways, whose average fare is $2.40 per trip. Other modes like taxis and renting cars may only be ideal if they are the only options available for where you want to go.

Living Expenses

There are other living expenses like food and insurance that you will incur during your study at Harvard University. You should expect to pay around $8,268 for the food rate annually and almost $5,800 for your student health insurance. Moreover, don’t forget the cost of living in the Boston area! There are other entertainment costs, but with some budgeting savvy, you should be able to keep it all manageable.

Studying at Harvard University is a significant and costly decision if you are an international student. You have to think about tuition fees, application fees, accommodation and transport, health, books, and other living expenses. It is important to note that, despite the high costs involved, Harvard offers excellent returns on investment regarding career prospects, making it worthwhile.

We hope this article about the cost of studying at Harvard University was informative and helpful. Feel free to visit our Study in the USA Page and Available Open Courses for more information about the different universities and program opportunities in the United States!