Harvard vs Washington University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Harvard admits 3.6% of applicants, while Washington University admits 12.1%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Harvard: 15.7% of students against 9.4% (Washington University).
Real money goes to international students at Harvard ($81,046 on average), while Washington University stops at $68,438.
A rare case with no trade-off: Harvard both costs less ($64,796 against $69,594) and delivers a higher median salary after a decade ($102K against $86K, Washington University).
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 12.1% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #23). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $86K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $69,594 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 Washington University for: 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 12.1% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1540).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $86K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 94.3%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $74,387).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 4.19 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 32,754 |
| International students | 15.7% | 9.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $86K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 95% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $69,594 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Washington University?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.
Do Harvard or Washington University graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Washington University?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $69,594 per year at Washington University.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Washington University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Washington University?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #23 for Washington University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Washington University?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $75,604 at Washington University.
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