Free resource for international students - visa, universities, scholarships, jobs, and life in the US
Private UniversityEst. 1636STEM OPT Eligible

Study in Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

4%
Acceptance Rate
22%
Intl Students
92%
OPT Job Rate
Last verified: March 2026 - cross-referenced with official university and USCIS sources. Visa rules change - always confirm with your DSO.

Overview for International Students

Harvard is America's oldest and most recognized university, founded in 1636. With professional schools in law, medicine, business, and government, Harvard offers international students access to the most powerful alumni network in the world. Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

  • America's oldest university - founded 1636
  • Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for undergrads
  • Families earning under $85,000/year pay nothing
  • Access to Harvard Law, Medical, and Business School networks
  • 22% international students from 150+ countries
  • Located in Cambridge - part of the Boston-Cambridge innovation hub

Who Thrives at Harvard?

Harvard is the right choice if your goals are in law, public policy, medicine, government, or finance - fields where the Harvard name opens specific doors that other universities simply cannot. The undergraduate experience is deliberately broad: Harvard wants you to question your assumptions before committing to a direction. International students often describe the social scene as more formal than Stanford and more intellectual than NYU. The alumni network in government, consulting, and finance is unmatched globally. If you want to run a country or a bank rather than a startup, Harvard is your school.

Rankings

#4
QS World
#3
US News
#4
US News Law

Admissions Requirements

Acceptance Rate4%
Total Enrollment23,731
TOEFL Minimum100 (iBT)
IELTS Minimum7

Application Deadlines

Restrictive Early ActionNovember 1
Regular DecisionJanuary 1

Popular Majors for International Students

EconomicsComputer ScienceGovernmentSocial StudiesBiology

Scholarships for International Students

Harvard Financial Aid
Families earning under $85K pay nothing
Harvard Graduate Fellowships
Varies by school and program
Note: Scholarship availability and amounts change annually. Always verify directly with the university financial aid office before applying.

Jobs & OPT for International Students

STEM OPT Eligible
Yes - 3 years total
OPT Employment Rate
92% within 6 months

Top Employers Who Hire from Harvard

McKinseyGoldman SachsBainGoogleMetaBridgewaterBCG

Cost Summary (Annual)

Tuition & Fees$59,076
Est. Living Costs$20,000
Total Est. Cost$79,076

Estimates for 2025–26 academic year. Actual costs vary. Check university website for current figures.

International Student Profile

Total Enrollment23,731
Intl Students5,200
Intl Student %22%

International Student Office

DSO Contact:
hio@harvard.edu
Official Intl Office

Monthly Visa Update

Visa rule changes, scholarship deadlines, and OPT updates - once a month.