- Acceptance rate: 3.6% for fall 2024
- Average high school GPA: 4.22 (weighted), as reported by the college for 2025–26
- SAT, middle 50%: 740–780 reading and writing, 770–800 math
- ACT, middle 50%: 34–36 composite
- Average net price: $17,900 a year (2022–23)
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How does your GPA compare?
Don't know your GPA? Check your GPA
Where you standEnter your GPA
Type your GPA to compare it with what Harvard University reported: an average weighted GPA of 4.22 (2025–26), an acceptance rate of 3.6% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 34–36.
Weighted GPAs above 4.0 can't be compared directly. Many colleges recalculate on their own scale, so use your unweighted GPA here.
A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Harvard University reviews each application.
Harvard University average GPA
Harvard University reported an average high school GPA of 4.22 for its first-year students, in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. It's a weighted average, which adds points for honors, AP or IB classes, so it can be higher than 4.0.
An average, not a cutoffColleges calculate GPA in different ways, so this figure can't be compared directly with your own GPA.
Harvard University acceptance rate
Harvard University admitted 1,970 of 54,008 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 3.6%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Harvard University is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with 8,844 undergraduates.
SAT and ACT scores
Scores of the first-year students who entered Harvard University in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading and Writing | 740 | 760 | 780 |
| SAT Math | 770 | 790 | 800 |
| ACT Composite | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| ACT English | 35 | 35 | 36 |
| ACT Math | 32 | 35 | 36 |
The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1553 for admitted students.
Admission requirements
What Harvard University looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:
| Admission factor | Status |
|---|---|
| High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned. | Required |
| RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors. | Required |
| Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application. | Required |
| Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores. | Required |
| High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average. | Considered if submitted |
| High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class. | Considered if submitted |
| College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school. | Considered if submitted |
| Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III. | Considered if submitted |
| Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations. | Considered if submitted |
| Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work. | Considered if submitted |
| Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college. | Considered if submitted |
AP credit
Harvard University doesn't award college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25.
It doesn't award credit for life experience.
Average net price
First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $17,900 a year at Harvard University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Is Harvard hard to get into?
Yes. Fewer than 1 in 10 applicants got in, which makes it one of the hardest colleges to get into. Harvard University admitted 3.6% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.
What is the acceptance rate at Harvard?
Harvard University's acceptance rate was 3.6% for fall 2024: it admitted 1,970 of 54,008 first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
How important is GPA for getting into Harvard?
It's one factor among several: Harvard University requires high school record, recommendations, essay or personal statement and test scores. It considers high school GPA, high school class rank, college preparatory program, other tests, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status if you send them. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Is there a minimum GPA for Harvard?
Harvard University doesn't set a minimum GPA we could verify. Its first-year students averaged 4.22 (weighted), as reported by the college in its 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Is a 3.5 GPA good enough for Harvard?
It's below the average there. Harvard University's first-year students averaged a weighted GPA of 4.22, as reported by the college for 2025–26, so on the same weighted scale a 3.5 is below that average at a college that admitted 3.6% of applicants for fall 2024. An average isn't a cutoff: your courses, test scores and the rest of your application count too.
Is Harvard test optional?
Check Harvard University's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. Harvard University required SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 54% sent SAT scores and 19% sent ACT scores.
What SAT and ACT scores do Harvard students have?
The middle 50% of Harvard University's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 740–780 in reading and writing and 770–800 in math; ACT composite 34–36, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.
Does Harvard accept AP credit?
No. Harvard University reported to the U.S. Department of Education that it doesn't award credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams for 2024–25.
How much does Harvard cost after financial aid?
First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $17,900 a year at Harvard University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Does Harvard consider legacy status?
Yes. Harvard University considers whether a parent or other relative attended, though it isn't required, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Before you apply, check Harvard's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.
Sources
- College Navigator: Harvard UniversityU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
- Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26Harvard University: average high school GPA of first-year students.
- College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).
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