Harvard University

    Cambridge, MA · Private non-profit · Doctoral / R1 research university

    SAT middle 50% (admitted students)
    1510–1580
    Median ~1550
    Acceptance rate
    4%
    Enrollment
    7,601
    ACT middle 50%
    34–36

    What the numbers say about Harvard University

    • The reported middle 50% spans 70 points, from 1510 to 1580. A planning score near or above 1600 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
    • The reported section midpoints are 760 Reading and Writing and 780 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
    • The Scorecard snapshot reports a 4% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
    • Reported outcomes include a 98% completion rate and $101,817 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.
    Understand a 1550 SAT scorePlan for a 1600Verify current admissions policy

    Tuition and outcomes

    Tuition (in-state)
    $61,676
    Tuition (out-of-state)
    $61,676
    Median earnings 10 years after entry
    $101,817
    4-year completion rate (150% time)
    98%

    Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

    How your SAT score lines up

    The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1510 and 1580. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

    • 1600 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1580 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1550 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
    • 1510 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.
    Compare to other colleges →

    Colleges with similar SAT scores

    Ranked by proximity to Harvard University's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

    CollegeLocationSAT middle 50%Acceptance rate
    University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA1510–15705%
    Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY1510–15804%
    University of ChicagoChicago, IL1510–15804%
    Stanford UniversityStanford, CA1510–15804%
    Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA1500–157012%
    Brown UniversityProvidence, RI1510–15805%

    FAQs

    What SAT score do I need for Harvard University?

    Harvard University's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1510–1580, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1600 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

    What is Harvard University's acceptance rate?

    Harvard University's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 4%.

    How much does it cost to attend Harvard University?

    Published tuition is approximately $61,676 per year (excludes room, board, fees).

    Is Harvard University test-optional?

    Many US universities adjusted test policies after 2020. Check Harvard University's admissions page for current test-optional, test-required, or test-flexible policy.

    Official site: www.harvard.edu

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