About Harvard University
Harvard University is well noted as an institution for research and scholarly pursuits. The school also happens to be the oldest institution of higher education in the United States dating to 1636, when by a vote of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, it was established. Today, Harvard includes 12 professional Schools, the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, along with a college division that offers continuing education opportunities through certificates and courses.
While many degree programs are offered at the school’s physical campus, students can pursue distance education opportunities. Harvard Extension School opens its doors to a diverse student body and enrolls millions of learners from around the world through its online learning platform.
- Enroll in an online course that fits your schedule
- Complete an online professional development certificate
- Educators can pursue an online education degree
Online studies provide an ideal platform to network with others and grow your career!
Read More ↓ Show Less ↑
Accreditation & Licensing
Harvard University is accredited by:
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Type:
4-year, Private not-for-profitHighest Level Offered:
Doctor's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableGraduate Enrollment:
25,423Fully Online Graduate Students:
38%Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$14,000Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
50%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$59,539Yellow Ribbon Program:
YesHarvard moves fast and asks a lot from students. Your finish time depends on how many classes you can handle each term. In Extension programs, you can set a pace that fits your life. You can take a lighter or heavier load and keep moving forward.
Cost can be more manageable with grant aid, and some students receive strong tuition help. The payoff can be meaningful over time, with career growth, access to research, and wide professional options. Overall, Harvard is a high-effort path with strong long-term value, and flexible pacing helps you plan your time to finish.
At Harvard, students often find the strongest help in the classroom. Professors are accessible and ready to support students when classes get tough. They offer extra guidance and useful resources, so students know where to turn when they need help.
The workload is still demanding, and the pace can feel intense. Even with strong faculty support, keeping up takes steady effort. Class support is a clear strength, though experiences with staff can vary. Overall, Harvard is strongest when students need direct academic help and consistent follow-through from professors.
Harvard offers real schedule options in online classes. Learners can choose how many classes they take. They can study online, on campus, or both. Some split work about half online and half on campus.
That flexibility helps with pace control across terms. But the pace is still demanding each week. Courses stay rigorous and fast-moving. This format fits people who want schedule choice and can handle heavy academic output.
Classes at Harvard are rigorous and tightly structured. Teaching pushes depth, not shortcuts. Courses are designed to push you toward your limit, and every aspect is touched on with reinforcement of past ideas. The pace can be hard to maintain, especially when workload and pressure rise at the same time.
Professor quality is a defining part of the experience. Students get direct access to professors, which helps when material gets tough. The classroom culture is ambitious and competitive, with high standards across the board. For many learners, that challenge is energizing and rewarding. Harvard delivers a demanding academic experience with strong teaching and real faculty support.
Harvard is high-upside and high-demand. Classes are rigorous and fast. Standards stay high across courses. Professor quality is a clear strength.
Access to professors is a major plus. Support is strongest in academics. Students can get help directly from faculty. But pace pressure is real.
Keeping up can be hard week to week. This is not a low-lift path. There is some schedule flexibility in Extension School formats. Learners may mix online and on-campus classes.
They can also adjust course load by term. That helps with pacing, not difficulty. Grant aid can offset tuition for some students. Overall fit is best for disciplined learners who want challenge.
Harvard is high-upside and high-demand. Classes are rigorous and fast. Standards stay high across courses. Professor quality is a clear strength.
Access to professors is a major plus. Support is strongest in academics. Students can get help directly from faculty. But pace pressure is real.
Keeping up can be hard week to week. This is not a low-lift path. There is some schedule flexibility in Extension School formats. Learners may mix online and on-campus classes.
They can also adjust course load by term. That helps with pacing, not difficulty. Grant aid can offset tuition for some students. Overall fit is best for disciplined learners who want challenge.
Online Programs offered by Harvard University
All Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Harvard University
Is Harvard University accredited?
Yes. Harvard University is institutionally accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education.
How many online programs does Harvard University offer?
Harvard University offers 4 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Harvard University offer?
Harvard University is focused on master's-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Harvard University?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Harvard University expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Harvard University falls into GetEducated’s $$$ tuition tier, which points to a higher tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Harvard University?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Harvard University first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
What GPA do most Harvard University programs require?
Most listed programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Is Harvard University military friendly?
Harvard University shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.
How can students request information from Harvard University through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Harvard University applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official College Transcript(s), Recommendation/Reference Letter(s), Resume/CV, and Statement of Purpose/Intent. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Harvard University accept life experience credit?
Harvard University does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Harvard University programs fully online or mixed?
Harvard University includes Mostly Online and 100% Online options, so students should check the format of their specific program before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Harvard University offer?
Harvard University has online program options in areas such as Religion & Philosophy and Education; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Are any admission tests required for Harvard University programs?
One recurring admissions-test item is Proof of English Language Proficiency (International Students). Students should confirm whether it applies to their specific program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Harvard University?
For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.
Do any Harvard University programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Harvard University?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Harvard University, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Harvard University programs?
Working adults should confirm program format, total cost, timeline, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a Harvard University program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
Harvard University is featured in 1 of our ranking reports!
GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.
We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.
Geographic and Educational Overview
Harvard University is located in Massachusetts
Massachusetts at a Glance:
Top Majors in Massachusetts:
Top Incentives in Massachusetts:
- MASSGrant: Up to $3,100 annually
- John and Abigail Adams Scholarship: Full tuition at state institutions
- Gilbert Matching Student Grant: Up to $2,500 annually
Top Career Pathways in Massachusetts:
- Entry Level: Research Associate ($65,000)
- Mid Level: Project Manager ($110,000)
- Senior Level: Research Director ($180,000+)
- Required Education: BS Biotechnology
- Certifications: PMP, Six Sigma, Quality Systems
- Entry Level: Software Engineer ($85,000)
- Mid Level: Senior Developer ($135,000)
- Senior Level: Technical Director ($190,000+)
- Required Education: BS Computer Science
- Certifications: AWS, Azure, Security+
- Entry Level: Clinical Innovation Specialist ($70,000)
- Mid Level: Innovation Manager ($120,000)
- Senior Level: Innovation Director ($175,000+)
- Required Education: BS Healthcare Administration
- Certifications: ACHE, PMP, CPHIMS