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Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Veritas("Truth")

October 28, 1636
Founded
Private research university
Type
7,755
Total Students
7,038
Undergrad
14,151
Graduate
$53.2B
Endowment
(2024)
$59K
Tuition (In-State)
$59K
Tuition (Out-State)
$17K
Avg Net Price
3%
Acceptance Rate
97%
Graduation Rate
6-year
99%
Retention Rate
Doctoral Universities
Classification
President: Alan Garber

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Harvard University

A global beacon of learning and innovation, shaping leaders since 1636.

Step into history at Harvard University, the United States' oldest institution of higher learning, established in 1636. Nestled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard stands as a paragon of academic excellence and global influence, guided by its enduring motto, "Veritas" (Truth). It's a place where ambitious minds converge, driven by a legacy of pioneering research, intellectual discovery, and the cultivation of world-changing leaders.

From its origins as New College, founded by the Massachusetts General Court and later named for benefactor John Harvard, the university has evolved from training Puritan clergy to becoming a powerhouse modern research institution. Visionary leaders like Charles William Eliot and James B. Conant steered Harvard through pivotal transformations, expanding its curriculum, establishing professional schools, and progressively diversifying its student body. This rich history underscores a continuous commitment to adapting and leading in higher education, always seeking to advance knowledge and perpetuate it for posterity.

Harnessing an unparalleled endowment of $53.2 billion, Harvard offers an extraordinary array of resources, including the world's largest academic library with over 20 million volumes. Students benefit from a vibrant intellectual community across its 13 schools, encompassing renowned undergraduate programs at Harvard College and world-class professional schools like Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard Business School. The academic journey here is designed to be rigorous, engaging, and transformative, preparing 21,189 students for impact in every conceivable field.

Beyond its historical gravitas and academic rigor, Harvard offers a dynamic student experience within a bustling city environment. It attracts talented individuals from across the globe, fostering a diverse community dedicated to tackling complex challenges. For prospective students and families, Harvard represents not just an education, but an immersion into a tradition of excellence, innovation, and global leadership that truly prepares one to make a profound difference in the world.

Key Highlights

  • Founded on October 28, 1636, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.
  • Boasts the world's largest academic endowment, valued at an astounding $53.2 billion.
  • Home to the Harvard Library, the world's largest academic library with more than 20 million volumes.
  • Educates a diverse student body of 21,189 across its undergraduate college and 12 professional and graduate schools.
  • An unrivaled alumni network includes 8 U.S. presidents, 188 living billionaires, 24 heads of state, Nobel laureates, and 110 Olympic medals.
  • Comprises 13 distinguished schools, including top-ranked Harvard Medical School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Kennedy School.

Timeline

1636
Founded by the Massachusetts General Court as New College.
1639
Renamed Harvard College after benefactor John Harvard.
1650
The charter for Harvard Corporation, the college's governing body, was granted.
1782
Harvard Medical School, the third-oldest medical school in the U.S., was established.
1817
Harvard Law School, the nation's oldest continuously operating law school, was founded.
1872
A graduate department was formed, later becoming the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
1900
Became a founding member of the Association of American Universities.
1908
Harvard Business School was founded.
1922
The Harvard School of Public Health (now T.H. Chan School) was established.
1936
The Harvard Graduate School of Public Administration (now Harvard Kennedy School) was founded.
1999
Radcliffe College formally merged into Harvard University.
2007
Drew Gilpin Faust became Harvard's 28th and first female president.
🏛️
390 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

13 notable schools within Harvard University

🏫

Harvard College

The undergraduate college, established in 1636, providing a foundational liberal arts education.

🏥

Harvard Medical School

The third-oldest medical school in the U.S., founded in 1782, renowned for pioneering research and influential teaching hospitals.

✝️

Harvard Divinity School

Founded in 1816, a nonsectarian school of theology and religious studies, fostering critical engagement with faith and ethics.

⚖️

Harvard Law School

The nation's oldest continuously operating law school, founded in 1817, known for developing the case method of teaching.

🏥

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Established in 1867, focusing on advanced dental education, patient care, and research.

🎭

Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Formed in 1872, offering PhD and other graduate degrees across a wide range of academic disciplines.

💼

Harvard Business School

Founded in 1908, a globally recognized leader in business education, known for its case method and strong corporate connections.

📖

Harvard Extension School

Established in 1910, providing continuing education, professional development, and part-time degree programs to a diverse student body.

🎨

Harvard Graduate School of Design

Founded in 1914, offering programs in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and design studies.

📚

Harvard Graduate School of Education

Established in 1920, a leading institution for education research, policy, and practice, addressing critical challenges in learning.

🏛️

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Founded in 1922 (as Harvard School of Public Health), now a premier institution for population health research and education, renamed in 2014.

🏛️

Harvard Kennedy School

Founded in 1936 (as Harvard Graduate School of Public Administration), a top-ranked global leader in public policy, international affairs, and government.

⚙️

Harvard School of Engineering

Established in 2007, offering innovative programs in engineering and applied sciences, including undergraduate and graduate studies.

Leadership

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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