Harvard vs Houston - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Harvard admits 3.6% of applications, Houston admits 73.9%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 15.7% (Harvard) against 5.7% (Houston).
Real money goes to international students at Harvard ($81,046 on average), while Houston stops at $4,456.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Harvard starts at $87,926 against $45,970 and ends at $13,539 against $29,520 (Houston).
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 73.92% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #201-300). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $64,796 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 73.92% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1240).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $62K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $64,796); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 31,716 |
| International students | 15.7% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 87% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 100% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Houston?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Harvard or Houston graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Houston?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Houston?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $16,450 at Houston.
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