West Virginia vs Harvard - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
West Virginia accepts most of the applications it receives (89%), while Harvard turns away the overwhelming majority (3.6%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 15.7% (Harvard) against 1.7% (West Virginia).
Real money goes to international students at Harvard ($81,046 on average), while West Virginia stops at $21,636.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Harvard lists $87,926 against $47,480 (West Virginia), but after average aid what remains is $13,539 against $30,750.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 89% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #1). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 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 West Virginia for: lower tuition.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 89% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1110).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $56K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $64,796); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | West Virginia | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | - | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 89% | 3.65% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1110 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.70 | 4.21 |
| Number of applications | 20,150 | 54,008 |
| International students | 1.7% | 15.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $56K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $36K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $84K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 64.7% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 83.4% | 98% |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $28,608 | $64,796 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,730 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 63% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,010 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | $65 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 23,643 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into West Virginia or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. West Virginia accepts 89% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.65%.
Do West Virginia or Harvard graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at West Virginia vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,608 per year at West Virginia and $64,796 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for West Virginia or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1110 at West Virginia and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - West Virginia or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for West Virginia vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid - West Virginia or Harvard?
The average aid package is $16,730 at West Virginia and $74,387 at Harvard.
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern
North Carolina