Cambridge, MA · Private University
Is Harvard University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$101,817
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$59,076
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$59,076
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$236,304
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.72x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
97.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$14,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,816
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Harvard University graduates earn $56,817 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Harvard University ranked by graduate earnings
55 graduates
26 graduates
23 graduates
88 graduates
58 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Harvard University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Harvard University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $256,539) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $49,675) is $206,864/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $256,539 | 4.3x |
| Statistics | $229,811 | 3.9x |
| Applied Mathematics | $166,324 | 2.8x |
| Economics | $124,570 | 2.1x |
| History | $89,238 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $89,043 | 1.5x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $87,380 | 1.5x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $76,453 | 1.3x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $75,342 | 1.3x |
| Social Sciences, General | $72,825 | 1.2x |
| Natural Sciences(1yr data) | $69,242 | 1.2x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $54,389 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest | $49,675 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 1.72x | $101,817 | Good ROI |
| Yale University | 1.55x | $100,533 | Good ROI |
| Princeton University | 1.84x | $110,066 | Good ROI |
| Dartmouth College | 1.48x | $97,434 | Average ROI |
| Brown University | 1.37x | $93,487 | Average ROI |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 1.48x | $102,491 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Harvard University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $101,817 10 years after starting — $56,817 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.5 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.