How much does it actually cost to attend Harvard University?
I'm starting to really look into my college options and Harvard is one of my top choices, but the price is kind of intimidating. I've seen a few different numbers online about how much their tuition is, and sometimes they include room and board, other times it's just tuition. It's all kind of confusing.
If anyone has applied recently, could you share how much the total yearly cost came out to for you or your family? And if you got financial aid, how did that affect the final amount you paid? I just want to know what to expect, especially since my parents can't afford to cover too much. Any advice or insight would be super helpful because I am getting stressed reading so many conflicting numbers!
If anyone has applied recently, could you share how much the total yearly cost came out to for you or your family? And if you got financial aid, how did that affect the final amount you paid? I just want to know what to expect, especially since my parents can't afford to cover too much. Any advice or insight would be super helpful because I am getting stressed reading so many conflicting numbers!
1 week ago
•
27 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 1 week ago
Advisor
It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed by the costs you see online, especially since college prices are listed in a lot of different ways. For Harvard specifically, it’s important to look at both the full price (the “sticker price”) and what many students actually end up paying after financial aid.
For the 2024–2025 academic year, the total sticker price at Harvard (which includes tuition, fees, room, and board) was about $82,000 per year. That breaks down roughly to $59,000 for tuition, $13,700 for room and board, and the rest covering fees, books, and personal expenses. Most students rarely pay this full amount.
Harvard has one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. If your family makes under $85,000 per year, Harvard’s policy is that you will usually pay nothing for tuition, room, or board—just minor personal expenses. Even families making up to $150,000 often pay only 0-10% of their income, depending on assets and circumstances. For example, a student whose parents earn $60,000 a year likely pays just for books and personal expenses, maybe $2,000–$3,000 total. Students with family incomes around $120,000 may pay closer to $10,000–$15,000 per year depending on specific factors like home ownership.
If you’re interested in what your family might pay, Harvard’s Net Price Calculator (on their financial aid website) is a great resource. Just plug in your family’s financial info for an estimate.
The bottom line: while the sticker price is high, Harvard’s financial aid program can make it much more affordable, especially for families who can’t pay much out of pocket. Take some time to run your numbers or reach out to their financial aid office; they’re used to answering these kinds of questions. Don’t let published prices scare you away from applying!
For the 2024–2025 academic year, the total sticker price at Harvard (which includes tuition, fees, room, and board) was about $82,000 per year. That breaks down roughly to $59,000 for tuition, $13,700 for room and board, and the rest covering fees, books, and personal expenses. Most students rarely pay this full amount.
Harvard has one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. If your family makes under $85,000 per year, Harvard’s policy is that you will usually pay nothing for tuition, room, or board—just minor personal expenses. Even families making up to $150,000 often pay only 0-10% of their income, depending on assets and circumstances. For example, a student whose parents earn $60,000 a year likely pays just for books and personal expenses, maybe $2,000–$3,000 total. Students with family incomes around $120,000 may pay closer to $10,000–$15,000 per year depending on specific factors like home ownership.
If you’re interested in what your family might pay, Harvard’s Net Price Calculator (on their financial aid website) is a great resource. Just plug in your family’s financial info for an estimate.
The bottom line: while the sticker price is high, Harvard’s financial aid program can make it much more affordable, especially for families who can’t pay much out of pocket. Take some time to run your numbers or reach out to their financial aid office; they’re used to answering these kinds of questions. Don’t let published prices scare you away from applying!
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years