Acceptance Rate History
Harvard University Acceptance Rate (2013–2025)
MA · Current rate: 4.2%
Harvard University admits the SAT 1510–1580 range — you might be closer than you think.
We hold no Early Decision breakdown for this school. The call names which school on your list to spend it on, from what each one published.
What is Harvard University's acceptance rate in 2025?
Harvard University's acceptance rate in 2025 is 4.2%, up from 3.7% in 2024.
Common Data Set 2025-2026
How many applicants does Harvard University admit, and what is its acceptance rate?
In its 2025 admissions cycle, Harvard University admitted 2,003 of 47,893 applicants — an overall acceptance rate of 4.2%.
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
Does Harvard University's 2025 acceptance rate include early-round applicants?
Yes. The 4.2% rate is one whole-cycle figure covering all 47,893 applicants Harvard University received for 2025, early and regular rounds counted together; it is not the rate of any single round.
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Acceptance Rate | Applicants | Admitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4.2% | 47,893 | 2,003 |
| 2024 | 3.7% | 54,008 | 1,970 |
| 2023 | 3.5% | 56,937 | 1,965 |
| 2022 | 3.2% | 61,221 | 1,984 |
| 2021 | 4.0% | 57,786 | 2,318 |
| 2020 | 5.0% | 40,248 | 2,015 |
| 2019 | 4.6% | 43,330 | 2,009 |
| 2018 | 4.7% | 42,749 | 2,024 |
| 2017 | 5.2% | 39,506 | 2,037 |
| 2016 | 5.4% | 39,041 | 2,110 |
| 2015 | 5.6% | 37,307 | 2,080 |
| 2014 | 6.0% | 34,295 | 2,045 |
| 2013 | 5.8% | 35,023 | 2,047 |
Source: IPEDS Admissions Survey (NCES) · College Scorecard
Cost
The same school, two different prices
Family income under $30k: $8,697/yr · Family income over $110k: $53,337/yr (AY 2023–24)
Average paid by students receiving federal aid, by family income (College Scorecard). International students are not eligible for U.S. federal aid, so they are not in this cohort and typically pay closer to the sticker price.
High-income families typically pay closer to sticker.
Aid for international students
Harvard University awarded institutional aid to 805 international undergraduates, averaging $83,013 (2025-2026 Common Data Set).
These figures describe only the international students who actually received aid — not what a typical international admit can expect. International students outside this group pay the full sticker price.
Source: official Common Data Set filing
Admitted Student Profile
SAT Range · Middle 50% (25th–75th)
1510–1580
College Scorecard 2024
Admitted students at Harvard University scored between 1510 and 1580 on the SAT (middle 50%).
Source: College Scorecard · U.S. Dept of Education
What this school weighs — Harvard University
Course rigor and GPA are not in this table. Nearly every school rates both at the top, so they tell you nothing about this one. These six are where schools differ.
| Class rank | Not considered |
|---|---|
| Standardized test scores | Considered |
| Application essay | Considered |
| Recommendations | Considered |
| Extracurricular activities | Considered |
| Character / personal qualities | Considered |
How to read these numbers
- 1510–1580 is the middle half of admitted scores, not a cutoff: a quarter of admitted students scored below 1510, and a quarter scored above 1580.
- The table above holds 13 reported years, 2013 through 2025. Across them Harvard University's rate ranged from 3.2% to 6.0%, so any single year is one point inside that range.
Each figure above describes a class a school already admitted in a completed cycle. It is a record of who was admitted, not a measurement of any one application.
Source: College Scorecard · IPEDS Admissions Survey (NCES) · U.S. Dept. of Education
The rates above cover Harvard University's whole applicant pool — early and regular rounds combined. For how the binding early round compares, read Harvard University early decision acceptance rate.
Where do you stand?
School
Harvard University
Harvard University
SAT
Middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510–1580.
This is SAT only. Your free full score also weighs your GPA, activities, and awards.
Enter your SAT above to see where you stand. Or get your free full score →
Trend Analysis
Harvard University's acceptance rate has decreased from 5.8% in 2013 to 4.2% in 2025, reflecting increased selectivity.
Analysis compiled from official data trends.
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Data sourced from IPEDS and College Scorecard. Does not represent endorsements or guarantee admission outcomes.