Harvard University acceptance rate, scores and deadlines
Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from Harvard's admissions site.
Acceptance rate
Harvard acceptance rate by year
2,003 of 47,893 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 3.6% for Fall 2024.
Show the numbers
| Entering class | Applied | Admitted | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 47,893 | 2,003 | 4.2% | Common Data Set |
| Fall 2024 | 54,008 | 1,970 | 3.6% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2023 | 56,937 | 1,965 | 3.5% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2022 | 61,221 | 1,984 | 3.2% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2021 | 57,786 | 2,318 | 4.0% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2020 | 40,248 | 2,015 | 5.0% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2019 | 43,330 | 2,009 | 4.6% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2018 | 42,749 | 2,024 | 4.7% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2017 | 39,506 | 2,037 | 5.2% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2016 | 39,041 | 2,110 | 5.4% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2015 | 37,307 | 2,080 | 5.6% | IPEDS |
2026–27 applications
Harvard deadlines for 2026–27
Apply with Common App or QuestBridge. Checked October 24, 2026 on Harvard's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.
- Restrictive early action Apply by Decisions Mid-December
- Regular decision Apply by Decisions End of March
Early rounds
Early decision and early action at Harvard
Harvard offers restrictive early action for 2026–27. It does not publish separate early admit rates in its Common Data Set.
Scores and GPA
Test scores and GPA at Harvard
Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.
Approximate: reading and math ranges added.
- 4.074.7%
- 3.75–3.9920.4%
- 3.50–3.743.5%
- 3.25–3.491.0%
- 3.00–3.240.2%
- 2.50–2.990.2%
- Below 2.500.1%
What counts
What Harvard weighs
From section C7 of Harvard's Common Data Set 2025–26.
Considered
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essays
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Character
- First-generation status
- Alumni relation
- Where you live
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not considered
- Class rank
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Demonstrated interest
Cost
What Harvard costs
From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use Harvard's net price calculator.
Compare
Colleges with a similar acceptance rate
Close to Harvard's 4.2%, from the same official data.
FAQ
Questions about Harvard admissions
What is Harvard's acceptance rate?
Harvard admitted 2,003 of 47,893 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 4.2%. That is up from 3.6% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.
Is Harvard test-optional for 2026–27?
No. Harvard requires the SAT or ACT from first-year applicants for 2026–27.
When are Harvard's application deadlines for 2026–27?
Restrictive early action: November 1, 2026; Regular decision: January 1, 2027. Check Harvard's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard?
There is no cutoff. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored about 1450–1560 on the SAT (Fall 2025), and 79% of them sent a score. A score at or above about 1560 is in the top quarter of enrolled students. This range is approximate: it adds the college's reading and math section ranges, because no total-score range is published.
Where the numbers come from
Sources
- Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), IPEDS admissions 2015–2024
- Harvard first-year admissions, checked October 24, 2026
Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.
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