Studying in one of the most prestigious universities in the world is a dream for many students. Harvard University is top on the list. Founded in 1636, Harvard is one of the oldest universities located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States of America. It is ranked first in the United States and second in the world.
Studying at Harvard 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.
How much does the tuition fee cost for one year at Harvard University?
As an international student, tuition fees at Harvard can be quite expensive. However, the tuition costs vary with the program of study. For example, a graduate program in the Education department will cost you around $57,246 for the 2023-2024 academic year. On the other hand, a one-year MBA program will cost you $73,440 in tuition alone. An undergraduate program such as Computer Science or Economics will cost you around $44,990 per academic year.
Apart from tuition fees, you should also be ready to incur other expenses when attending Harvard to make your stay comfortable and achieve your educational dream.
Cost of Studying at Harvard University
Choosing to study at Harvard is a big decision and a costly one. If you are an international student, you may wonder just how much it will cost to attend Harvard University. Let us look at what you should expect to incur during your study period at Harvard.
Application Costs at Harvard University
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 1st of January.
In addition to the initial application fee, international students are more likely to be asked by Harvard to provide supplementary documents alongside the standard requirements. These can incur additional costs associated with their preparation and processing.
Tuition Fee Costs at Harvard University
The tuition fees at Harvard University vary with the program of study, with some programs being higher than others. Whether you are planning to study at the undergraduate or graduate level, let us look at what you might expect to pay in tuition at Harvard.
Bachelor’s Tuition Cost at Harvard University
A bachelor’s degree program at Harvard University is very competitive among international students, with programs like Business and Computer Science being popular. A Bachelor’s degree at Harvard will cost you around $52,659 per year in tuition costs as a full-time student without any financial aid.
You should also expect to pay an additional $75 as activity fees and $5,528 for health insurance per academic year.
Master’s Tuition Cost at Harvard University
Havard is known to have some of the best Master’s programs in the world, but they do not come cheaply. The Master’s program at Harvard University will cost you $52,456 for the first two years of study and 13,638 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 $59,968 for the one-year program and $29,984 for the second year if pursuing the two-year program. If you enroll for an MBA at Harvard, prepare yourself with $73,440 in tuition fees per academic year.
Ph.D. Tuition Cost at Harvard University
International students can pursue any of the accredited Ph.D. programs at Harvard University. For example, you can choose either the Doctor of Philosophy in Education or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Engineering Sciences, Bioengineering. Just like the Master’s students, you should expect to pay around $52,456 for the first two years of study and then 13,638 for the third and fourth years of your Ph.D.
Students applying to the Graduate School of Education should expect to pay $57,246 in tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year. On the other hand, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences charges $52,456 for the first two years of study.
Other Costs
Apart from tuition costs, there are other expenses you will incur during the study period at Harvard University.
Books and Miscellaneous Expenses
You should expect to pay around $900 for books and supplies if you are studying a Master’s degree program.
You can also plan to spend around 6,910 on miscellaneous expenses such as school activities (for example, student societies or sports teams).
Accommodation and Transportation
When budgeting for studying at Harvard, you can plan for accommodation and transport. Depending on the type of housing you select, the cost of room and board can range from 7,892–12,392 for dormitory housing and 17,750 for apartment housing. Estimated living expenses for Masters and Ph.D. students is 17,750 per academic year. The student residences are fully-furnished with basic amenities.
With transportation, you can go for cheaper options like renting a bike or using public transport which costs about $89 per month. There is also an option of using trains and subways, whose average fare is $2.40 per trip. Other modes like taxis and renting cars may not be ideal if you are looking to save money unless 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 $6,700 for food for a period of 10 months and about $5000 for your student health insurance.
And do not forget the cost of simply living in the Boston area! There are other costs to do with entertainment, but with a little bit of budgeting savvy, you should be able to keep it all manageable.
Choosing to study at Harvard 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 University 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 USA Scholarships Page for more information about the different universities and scholarship opportunities in the USA!
