Stanford vs Harvard - 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 (1550 against 1553), 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 (#2 vs #1). 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 Stanford for: higher graduate earnings, a larger aid package.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
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 | Stanford | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 3.65% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | 4.21 |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 54,008 |
| International students | 13.1% | 15.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 98% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $64,796 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | $100 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.65%.
Do Stanford or Harvard graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $102K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $64,796 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Harvard?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $74,387 at Harvard.
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