CAMBRIDGE, MA

STANFORD, CA

COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Harvard vs Stanford — US university comparison

HARVARD

Cambridge, MA

World rank · ARWU#1

Acceptance3.6%

Median SAT1553

Graduation rate97.6%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$102K

STANFORD

Stanford, CA

World rank · ARWU#2

Acceptance3.6%

Median SAT1553

Graduation rate91.9%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$124K

🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Harvard University Stanford University

#1 World rank · ARWU #2

#3 Rank · THE #6

3.6% Acceptance rate 3.6%

1553 Median SAT 1553

97.6% Graduation rate 91.9%

21,189 Enrollment 18,121

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

3.6% Acceptance rate 3.6%

83.6% Yield rate 79.9%

1553 Median SAT 1553

4.20 Avg. GPA 3.90

54,008 Number of applications 60,646

25% Int'l students 23%

At a glance

Harvard leads in 6 of 12 measured metrics

Grad. debt$22,262 vs $28,507

Earnings$102K vs $124K

Debt$14,000 vs $12,000

EXPERT TAKE

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 ($61,676 vs $65,910 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, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.

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

Graduate outcomes

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%).

Cost and aid

Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $65,910); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($75,816 vs $74,387).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

Each dot is a comparable US university; Harvard and Stanford highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric	Harvard	Stanford
World rank · ARWU	#1	#2
Rank · THE	#3	#6
Acceptance rate	3.6%	3.6%
Yield rate	83.6%	79.9%
Median SAT	1553	1553
Avg. GPA	4.20	3.90
Number of applications	54,008	60,646
International students	25%	23%
Median earnings · 10 yrs	$102K	$124K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs	$139K	$141K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs	$200K	$220K
Graduation rate	97.6%	91.9%
Retention rate	98%	97%
Median debt	$14,000	$12,000
Tuition · year	$61,676	$65,910
Avg. aid package	$74,387	$75,816
% 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 Stanford. Harvard accepts 3.6% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.6%.

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 $61,676 per year at Harvard and $65,910 per year at Stanford.

What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Stanford?

The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1553 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 $75,816 at Stanford.

Compare Harvard with

Massachusetts institute of technology

Washington university

Northwestern

North carolina

Duke

Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).

All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) — admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "—" = not yet in canonical.