Harvard vs Wyoming - 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, Wyoming admits 96.9%.
The more international environment is at Harvard (15.7% international students) than Wyoming (1.8%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Harvard awards international students $81,046 on average, Wyoming awards $10,769.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Harvard starts at $87,926 against $43,975 and ends at $13,539 against $31,846 (Wyoming).
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 96.9% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #701-800). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $57K). Wyoming has lower sticker-price tuition ($25,015 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 Wyoming for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 96.9% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1140).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $57K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 58.8%).
Wyoming has lower sticker-price tuition ($25,015 vs $64,796); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $12,129).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #701-800 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 96.9% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 23.8% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1140 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 3.55 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 6,217 |
| International students | 15.7% | 1.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $57K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $81K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 58.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 79% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $18,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $25,015 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $12,129 |
| % of need met | 100% | 57.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $24,921 |
| Application fee | $85 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 10,813 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Wyoming?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Wyoming accepts 96.9%.
Do Harvard or Wyoming graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Wyoming?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $25,015 per year at Wyoming.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Wyoming?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1140 at Wyoming; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Wyoming?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #701-800 for Wyoming.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Wyoming?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $12,129 at Wyoming.
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