Harvard vs Stanford - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Stanford: $124K against $102K.
At 3.6% and 3.8%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
The SAT profile is practically identical (1553 against 1550), so a test score will not tip the balance either way.
The lower full cost of study, not tuition alone, belongs to Harvard: $87,926 against $97,545.
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 3.8% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $102K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $68,574 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, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Stanford for: higher graduate earnings, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 3.8% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1550).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $102K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 91.9%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $74,387).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 3.8% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 3.94 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 60,646 |
| International students | 15.7% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $124K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 97.5% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $68,574 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $77,279 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | $85 | $100 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.8%.
Do Harvard or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $102K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $68,574 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1550 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Stanford?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Stanford?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $77,279 at Stanford.
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