by our College Data Analytics TeamConcerned about paying for college? Take a look at Harvard’s financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and student loans, then calculate the net price based on your income level to determine if you can afford to attend this school.
Feeling a little stressed about paying $75,857 to attend Harvard University each year? This number can be deceiving, and for many, the net price you pay will be less.
While there is no tuition reduction for Massachusetts students, 57.4% of freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with the average amount totaling $55,455. Students from low-income families receive an average of $70,512 in aid during their first year.
| Tuition and fees | $53,968 |
| + Room and board | $18,389 |
| + Other expenses | $3,500 |
| Total cost | $75,857 |
| Total cost | $75,857 |
| - Grants and scholarships | $55,455 |
| Net price | $20,402 |
| Total cost | $75,857 |
| - Grants and scholarships | $70,512 |
| Net price | $5,345 |
Learn more about tuition and fees, room, board and other expenses, and financial aid options at Harvard.
Looking at the total projected cost of a college education over the course of two / four (or more) years can feel a little overwhelming. However, doing so will help better prepare you for the financial commitment you are making.
The overall cost for on-campus students to attend Harvard in 2020 - 2021 was $75,857. To calculate future costs, we looked at the prior five years of data and determined that this cost increased an average of 3.9% each year. If this trend continues, we expect the full cost for incoming freshmen to be $81,858 during their first year. By their senior year, that cost will be approximately $91,760 for a bachelor degree candidate ($85,034 for an associate degree candidate) for a total of $346,985 over the course of four years ($166,891 over the course of two years). These numbers do not take into consideration financial aid, which reduces this overall cost by varying amounts per student.
Remember, the full costs quoted above are not what most students will pay, and the net price varies quite a bit based on individual circumstances.
The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.
| Projected 2-Year Net Costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | * | 4.3% | 3.9% |
| Freshman year | $9,472 | $22,207 | $81,858 |
| Senior year | $12,609 | $23,169 | $85,034 |
| Total 2-year net price | $22,081 | $45,376 | $166,891 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $8,412 | $17,286 | $63,579 |
| Total monthly payment | $254 | $522 | $1,921 |
| Total amount paid | $30,493 | $62,662 | $230,471 |
| Projected 4-Year Net Costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | * | 4.3% | 3.9% |
| Freshman year | $9,472 | $22,207 | $81,858 |
| Senior year | $22,344 | $25,218 | $91,760 |
| Total 4-year net price | $61,210 | $94,766 | $346,985 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $23,319 | $36,102 | $132,188 |
| Total monthly payment | $704 | $1,091 | $3,993 |
| Total amount paid | $84,529 | $130,868 | $479,173 |
Visit net price and financial aid to learn more about the total cost of attending Harvard University.
Meeting application deadlines for both the college and the FAFSA is crucial to getting financial aid.