More selective than 100% of Massachusetts colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
52% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 22% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Harvard University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Harvard University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Harvard University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Class rank
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Harvard University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 4.22. An average above 4.0 means Harvard University reports weighted GPAs (extra points for AP, IB, dual enrollment and honors).
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
75 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Harvard University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Harvard University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 780 |
| SAT math | 770 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 36 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1510 | 1580 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Harvard University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 4% | 740–780 | 770–800 | 34–36 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 3% | 740–780 | 760–800 | 34–36 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Harvard University compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Harvard University has the lowest acceptance rate of 62 Massachusetts colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | 4% | 98% | $19,066 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 5% | 96% | $20,111 |
| 3 | Northeastern University | 5% | 91% | $30,915 |
| 4 | Williams College | 8% | 94% | $17,716 |
| 5 | Amherst College | 9% | 94% | $23,367 |
| 6 | Boston University | 11% | 89% | $24,402 |
| 7 | Tufts University | 11% | 94% | $39,998 |
| 8 | Wellesley College | 14% | 92% | $25,496 |
| 9 | Boston College | 16% | 91% | $41,704 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Massachusetts colleges →
Who enrolls at Harvard University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Harvard University admissions questions
What is the Harvard University acceptance rate?
Harvard University accepts 4% of applicants, about 1 in 27. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,965 of 56,937 applicants were admitted.
Does Harvard University require the SAT or ACT?
Harvard University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 52% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard University?
The middle 50% of Harvard University enrolled first-year students scored 1510–1580 on the SAT and 34–36 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Harvard University?
84% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,645 of 1,965).
What does Harvard University look for in applicants?
Harvard University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: none. Considered: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA, sAT/ACT scores, essay, recommendations, interview, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, volunteer work, work experience. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Harvard University have early decision?
No. Harvard University does not offer binding early decision, but it offers non-binding early action (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Is Harvard University getting harder to get into?
Harvard University accepted 4% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 3% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Harvard University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Harvard University overview