How much does it actually cost to attend Harvard for undergrad?
I’ve been looking at Harvard as a potential college option, but I’m honestly so confused about what the real cost of tuition is. Some websites say it’s around $60k a year, while others mention all these extra fees for housing, meals, and books.
Does anyone know the total price tag (including tuition, room and board, and other necessary expenses) for a first-year student? I’m trying to figure out if applying is realistic for my family’s finances, and whether or not I’d have to take on a ton of debt. If anyone currently attends or went through the process recently, it would be really helpful to hear how much you actually paid, especially after financial aid. I just want to wrap my head around what to expect before I get too attached to the idea of going there.
Does anyone know the total price tag (including tuition, room and board, and other necessary expenses) for a first-year student? I’m trying to figure out if applying is realistic for my family’s finances, and whether or not I’d have to take on a ton of debt. If anyone currently attends or went through the process recently, it would be really helpful to hear how much you actually paid, especially after financial aid. I just want to wrap my head around what to expect before I get too attached to the idea of going there.
3 months ago
•
236 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 3 months ago
Advisor
Harvard’s published undergraduate cost for the 2024-2025 academic year is roughly $82,000 – this number includes tuition, room and board, fees, and the estimate for personal expenses, books, and travel. Here’s how it usually breaks down:
- Tuition: $59,000
- Room & Board (housing and meal plan): $20,000
- Fees and insurance: about $2,800
- Books, supplies, and personal expenses: estimated at $3,000
These are the sticker prices, but very few students end up paying the full amount. What you actually pay will depend largely on your family’s financial situation. Harvard has one of the most generous need-based financial aid policies in the country. They state that families making under $85,000 per year aren’t expected to pay anything for tuition, room, or board. For families earning up to about $150,000, the contribution is typically capped at 0–10% of income. For those above that, the cost scales higher, but most still pay less than sticker unless their income is quite high.
Here’s an example: A friend of mine came from a family making around $110,000 a year, with some savings. Their expected yearly cost after aid was about $11,000, most of which covered housing and meal plans. Harvard’s financial aid covered the rest, including nearly all of tuition. Another student I know from a higher-earning family paid closer to $40,000 a year but still received some grant aid.
The takeaway is that the true cost of Harvard depends a lot on your family’s income and financial profile. Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated need with grant aid, not loans, so taking on huge debt is less likely compared to many other schools. The net price calculator on Harvard’s admissions website can help you estimate your own likely cost before you apply. It’s quick and anonymous — you plug in your basic financial info and get a personalized ballpark figure.
If you’re interested but worried about cost, it’s still worth applying. Many students are surprised by how affordable Harvard ends up being for them after financial aid.
- Tuition: $59,000
- Room & Board (housing and meal plan): $20,000
- Fees and insurance: about $2,800
- Books, supplies, and personal expenses: estimated at $3,000
These are the sticker prices, but very few students end up paying the full amount. What you actually pay will depend largely on your family’s financial situation. Harvard has one of the most generous need-based financial aid policies in the country. They state that families making under $85,000 per year aren’t expected to pay anything for tuition, room, or board. For families earning up to about $150,000, the contribution is typically capped at 0–10% of income. For those above that, the cost scales higher, but most still pay less than sticker unless their income is quite high.
Here’s an example: A friend of mine came from a family making around $110,000 a year, with some savings. Their expected yearly cost after aid was about $11,000, most of which covered housing and meal plans. Harvard’s financial aid covered the rest, including nearly all of tuition. Another student I know from a higher-earning family paid closer to $40,000 a year but still received some grant aid.
The takeaway is that the true cost of Harvard depends a lot on your family’s income and financial profile. Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated need with grant aid, not loans, so taking on huge debt is less likely compared to many other schools. The net price calculator on Harvard’s admissions website can help you estimate your own likely cost before you apply. It’s quick and anonymous — you plug in your basic financial info and get a personalized ballpark figure.
If you’re interested but worried about cost, it’s still worth applying. Many students are surprised by how affordable Harvard ends up being for them after financial aid.
Related Questions
Students also ask…
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years