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Harvard
Cambridge, Massachusetts
college.harvard.edu -, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Harvard Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate 3%
Acceptance Deadline January 1
Harvard Tuition
Average Cost* $13,872
Average Total Aid Awarded $71,070
Students Receiving Financial Aid 56.6%
*Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Harvard Academics
Student Faculty Ratio 7:1
Harvard Majors
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA, and it is ranked #3 on the U.S. News list of Best Colleges. The total undergraduate Harvard enrollment is just over 7,000 students.
There are over 50 Harvard majors, otherwise known as Harvard concentrations, offered at Harvard University. Additionally, there are 49 Harvard minors, also referred to as secondary fields, available to students. Harvard concentrations, or Harvard majors, are required, while secondary fields, or Harvard minors, are optional.
With so many Harvard majors and Harvard minors to choose from, it’s no wonder that Harvard admissions receives a record number of applications each year.
Trying to decide what to major in at Harvard? We’ve got you covered. In this guide to the Harvard majors, we will explore the college majors that Harvard is known for, as well as other college majors available. We will also provide a list of Harvard majors and discuss the most popular majors at Harvard, including the college majors that make up the top 3 Harvard University majors.
Finally, we will review Harvard majors and Harvard minors and even compare some Harvard majors to college majors available at Stanford. Along the way, we will include additional information about Harvard majors, Harvard University courses, the Harvard curriculum, Harvard enrollment, and Harvard admissions.
Harvard majors: What is Harvard known for?
There are many features of Harvard that set it apart from other colleges and universities. As you begin researching college majors as part of the college application process, you might be wondering which of the Harvard University majors Harvard is known for.
Harvard is best known for its top-tier academic degree programs and concentrations. In fact, there are over 3,000 Harvard University courses to choose from, ensuring that the Harvard curriculum remains illustrious and distinguished.
Harvard University majors are offered through the undergraduate Harvard College, as well as among the 12 graduate and professional schools, including the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. Students pursue academic Harvard concentrations, also known as Harvard majors, but they are able to take graduate level classes during their undergraduate academic career.
The Harvard concentrations are college majors that are categorized into nine field clusters. These clusters allow students to “explore the intersections of the subject matter in a more dynamic and relatable way.”
The nine field clusters for Harvard concentrations are as follows:
- Arts
- Engineering
- History
- Languages and Literatures
- Life Sciences
- Math and Computation
- Physical Sciences
- Qualitative Social Sciences
- Quantitative Social Sciences
In addition to the unique Harvard concentrations and field clusters, Harvard is known for its small student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, with 70.6% of classes with fewer than 20 students.
Want to learn more about what makes Harvard great? Check out our webinar. In it, you will find detailed information about Harvard University majors, Harvard concentrations, Harvard admissions, and more.
List of Harvard majors
In order to determine which college major at Harvard matches your passion and interests, you will first need to review the full list of Harvard majors. Use the following list of Harvard majors as a jumping off point as you decide what to major in.
Here is a comprehensive list of Harvard majors:
| African and African American Studies | History |
| Anthropology | History and Literature |
| Applied Mathematics | History and Science |
| Art, Film, and Visual Studies | History of Art and Architecture |
| Astrophysics | Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology |
| Bioengineering | Integrative Biology |
| Biology | Linguistics |
| Biomedical Engineering | Literature |
| Business Administration and Management | Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering |
| Chemical and Physical Biology | Mathematics |
| Chemistry | Mechanical Engineering |
| Chemistry and Physics | Molecular and Cellular Biology |
| Classics | Music |
| Comparative Literature | Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations |
| Comparative Study of Religion | Neuroscience |
| Computer Science | Philosophy |
| Earth and Planetary Sciences | Physics |
| East Asian Studies | Psychology |
| Economics | Romance Languages and Literatures |
| Electrical Engineering | Slavic Languages and Literatures |
| Engineering Sciences | Social Studies |
| English | Sociology |
| Environmental Science and Engineering | South Asian Studies |
| Environmental Science and Public Policy | Special Concentrations |
| Environmental Studies | Statistics |
| Folklore and Mythology | Theater, Dance, & Media |
| Germanic Languages & Literature | Women, Gender, and Sexuality |
| Government |
After you explore the Harvard majors list, you can create your own list of Harvard majors that stand out to you. To narrow down your Harvard majors list, do some additional research about each college major. Take note of the Harvard University courses associated with that college major, along with any other pertinent information about prerequisites, etc.
Use your personal Harvard majors list to determine what to major in. Doing your college major research early will help make the Harvard admissions process that much smoother.
Now, we’ll look at the most popular majors at Harvard in the next section of this guide.
What are popular majors at Harvard?
According to U.S. News, the most popular majors at Harvard include Social Sciences, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, History, Physical Sciences, Psychology, Engineering, and Foreign Languages and Literatures.
Most of the popular majors at Harvard also find themselves ranking high on many “Best Of” lists. Two Harvard concentrations, Pre-Med and Environmental Science, rank as #1 and #5 on the top ten best universities for that particular college major, respectively.
To hear more about Harvard University majors and the most popular majors at Harvard from current students, check out our webinar.
What are Harvard top 3 majors?
Now that we know more about the most popular Harvard concentrations, let’s learn more about the Top 3 Harvard University majors. Sociology, Biology, and Economics make up the Top 3 majors of the Harvard majors list.
#1- Sociology
Sociology is part of the Social Sciences division of Harvard majors. Sociology is the study of people, cultures, and societies. Students that choose Sociology from the list of Harvard University majors can take Harvard University courses ranging from introductory sociology to socioeconomic inequality and research methods.
Sociology is one of the more flexible Harvard majors. Some Sociology students participate in fieldwork as part of their Harvard University courses, where they can interact with a specific population or community, while other students conduct research. So, if you’re looking for flexibility within your Harvard major, Sociology may be perfect for you.
#2- Biology
Harvard is ranked #1 on the list of top ten best universities for Biology. Within the field of Biology, there are five Harvard majors to choose from. We are going to highlight one of the biology options on the Harvard majors list: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB).
Molecular and Cellular Biology is the study of cells and the molecules that make up those cells. MCB is one of the Harvard majors that places particular emphasis on research.
To concentrate in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard, you need to take 12-13 Harvard University courses within the life sciences field. If you are interested in applying to medical school after undergrad, Molecular and Cellular Biology is one of the best Harvard majors to study as many of the requirements overlap with pre-med requirements.
#3- Economics
The last of the Top 3 Harvard majors is Economics. Harvard is ranked #1 on the list of top ten best colleges for economics. Students who study Economics at Harvard will start their Harvard University courses with the popular Introduction to Economics course, which covers a wide variety of topics within the economics and business landscape.
If the Top 3 Harvard University majors aren’t for you, don’t worry. There are plenty of other excellent Harvard majors to choose from as you explore the world of college majors!
Harvard majors and minors: more information
Harvard boasts a liberal arts education that allows students to explore a variety of Harvard majors before ultimately choosing what to major in. In the first week of each semester’s classes, students at Harvard can attend any class that they want, which is the perfect way to discover the Harvard University majors available to you. This time is known as “Shopping Week.”
Harvard’s Shopping Week is an incredible opportunity for students to sample a wide variety of Harvard University courses. This program gives students the unique ability to learn more about the Harvard majors offered.
Students at Harvard must declare their intended college major, or concentration, during their sophomore year. This gives you plenty of time to learn more about the different college majors at Harvard before deciding what to major in.
After you have completed your Harvard enrollment and declared one of the Harvard majors as your program of study, take some time to establish a healthy work-life balance.
Establish your priorities and get organized early on. Reflect on your goals, recharge, and understand how to balance your class and work priorities so that you can focus on your own health and happiness.
To read more about Harvard University majors and life at Harvard from an alum, please visit our website.
Harvard majors vs. Stanford majors: how do they compare?
Many students who are interested in applying to Harvard are also interested in applying to Stanford. While you might find some of the Harvard University majors also available at Stanford, it’s important to compare the college majors offered at each university. We’ll compare a few Harvard majors to the majors offered at Stanford in this section.
Both Harvard and Stanford offer a liberal arts education which requires students to take classes outside of their college majors to fulfill certain humanities requirements. Since we already noted some of the Harvard majors that are ranked on the “Top Ten Best Of” lists, let’s see which Stanford majors make the cut.
We’ll start with the Harvard University majors that we highlighted above. Harvard and Stanford actually tie for #1 in Biological Sciences. Stanford and Harvard are ranked #1 and #2 for Environmental Science, respectively. Additionally, Harvard is #1 for both Pre-Med and Economics, while Stanford also ties for #1 in Economics.
However, there are a few Stanford majors that beat out Harvard majors on these lists. Stanford is ranked #1 for top ten best psychology colleges while Harvard comes in at #3 on that list. Additionally, Stanford is ranked #2 for engineering, #1 for computer science, #3 for best colleges for international relations, and #5 for best colleges for history majors.
It’s clear that both universities offer college majors that are well-regarded and ranked highly. Although these rankings shouldn’t be the only thing you consider as you research college majors, they are a good starting point.
Harvard majors – Final thoughts
Harvard is consistently ranked as one of the best colleges in the U.S. With so many Harvard majors available, you are sure to find the best option for you. As you explore the Harvard University majors and narrow down your own Harvard majors list, be sure to refer to this guide often.
It’s important that your future college major matches your academic interests and passions. Keep this in mind while you are researching Harvard University majors and college majors in general. Make sure to focus on fit above all. Otherwise, it might be hard to understand the Harvard curriculum if you chose a college major that doesn’t interest you.
Choosing your college major should be an exciting process! Take your time as you review all the Harvard majors and Harvard minors available to you. Lead with your goals and interests in mind as you decide between Harvard University majors.
Are you wondering how to get into Harvard, or do you need help choosing a college major that is right for you? CollegeAdvisor.com is here to help you as you begin your college application journey and figure out what to major in. Our expert advisors are available to guide you through the Harvard admissions process, discuss the list of Harvard majors, examine Harvard concentrations, and more!
Most Popular Majors
- Economics
- Computer Science
- Political Science and Government
- History
- Social Science Research Methods
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Statistics
- English
- Computational and Applied Mathematics
Harvard University Online
Offers Online Courses Yes
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Harvard Enrollment
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Part-Time Undergraduates 2,740
Harvard Alumni at CollegeAdvisor
Upon graduating from Harvard, I was determined to pursue a career in college admissions, dedicating myself to helping families achieve their educational aspirations. Although I later obtained an MBA and a doctorate in Higher Education, my passion for college admissions remained steadfast. For the past seven years, I have served as a full-time Independent Educational Consultant, specializing in guiding first-generation U.S. students. Additionally, I have experience working with international students, particularly those from India and China. Prior to my consulting career, I spent over ten years as an admissions director at universities in the Boston area. This extensive background enables me to provide valuable insights to students, drawing on my experience reviewing hundreds of applications and working closely with numerous families throughout the application process.
My clients typically pursue majors in fields such as computer science, pre-med, pre-law, neuroscience, biology, engineering, and business. I take great pride in answering the questions of both students and parents, especially as a first-generation American from New York City who understands the challenges of navigating the admissions process. It is incredibly rewarding to witness my students gain acceptance to Ivy League schools and other top-tier institutions, ultimately realizing their academic and professional dreams.
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I am a professional with 10+ years of experience in K-12, higher education, and social services institutions. I am a confident, humble leader who is a quick learner, has an innovative mindset, am open to critical feedback, and can concurrently manage multiple projects, to effectively complete the outlined goals of a position or project. I have proven success with data-driven decision making, working across diverse student and professional communities, and high-level strategic planning to create long-term success in recruitment and student success improvements.
I attend Columbia Law School on a full-ride, merit scholarship, where my studies focus on civil rights, education policy, and non-profit law. Before law school, I worked in philanthropy as a grantmaker on issues related to public policy, youth organizing, and technology regulations and in communications as a consultant for political campaigns. I'm a National Geographic Education Fellow and Forbes 30 Under 30 Awardee for my education policy and advocacy work. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor's in Political Science. I was a Robertson Scholar at Chapel Hill, a full-ride scholarship that gave me access to UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University classes. I was also a Coca-Cola Scholar and a Kevan Flagler Assured Admit. In addition to the Robertson Scholarship, I was awarded full rides to three undergraduate institutions (UK, Davidson, Wake Forest) and partial scholarships to several others. During my undergraduate studies, I interned at a political consulting firm in Washington, DC, a management consulting firm in Atlanta, Georgia, and a local community development nonprofit in New Orleans. After undergrad, I pursued a Master's in Education Policy & Management from Harvard Graduate School of Education, where my research focused on student power in the K12 education system. In high school, I founded a nonprofit organization that advocated for more student voice in the K12 education system. I also competed in speech and debate, played soccer, and practiced the cello. During my junior year, I moved to Washington, D.C., for a semester to serve as a United States Senate Page. There, I attended class in the morning and worked on the Senate floor in the evening. Outside of academic and career interests, I love live music, hiking in the woods, and a relaxing spa day. When applying to college, the key is honing your narrative to stand out to admission officers from among the dozens of qualified applications they will review.
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Hi! My name is Morgan and I am a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying Engineering, with interests in the built environment, climate change/adaptation, and computer science. I am from Brooklyn, NY and am a current Junior (class of 2026). I grew up with a low-income immigrant single mother from the Caribbean, and attended boarding school from 9th through 12th grade. I have done a lot since starting my degree, with many of my activities revolving around engineering, research, career exploration, leadership, and the college application process. For example, I have worked in two labs during my undergrad, one of which is focused on computer science, architecture, and engineering. I have worked there for 1.5 years. Currently, I am working in a UCL lab focusing on tsunami engineering and disaster prevention. Back at MIT, I am a part of MCG (MIT Consulting Group), a club that allows me to work on real consulting cases as an undergraduate student. I understand the difficulty of the college application process, as I went through it a few short years ago. In my cycle, I was able to receive acceptances from many prestigious universities, some of which being Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Duke, and many more. With that being said, I am a huge proprietor of open and honest communication; I am here as a resource to demystify the college application and help the student reach their fullest potential. In my free time, I like to read and try new cuisines. Hope to be in contact with you soon!
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Hello! I graduated Cum Laude from Harvard University in 2020 with a bachelor's in economics and will start my J.D. program this fall at Harvard Law School. While in college, I helped high school students with standardized test prep, application essay edits, and resume edits. Having gone through two stressful application cycles (college and law school) myself, I know how helpful it can be for students to have support on their applications to achieve their full educational and professional potential. I believe I can especially be helpful for students interested in Business and/or Law, as I have professional experience and aspiration in those fields. Before transitioning to law, I worked for three years as a management consultant in Washington D.C. Outside of academic and career interests, I enjoy trivia, soccer (in all forms), spikeball, and playing piano.
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Joshua Ford attended UNC-Chapel Hill as a Morehead-Cain Scholar in the Honors Program. Upon graduating, he received a Fulbright scholarship to study entrepreneurship in Mexico. He spent several years as a management consultant before moving to startups. He previously worked for Candid and Uber before becoming the CEO & Founder of HipTrain. HipTrain was acquired by FORME which Joshua helped bring public on the NASDAQ exchange in April 2023. He now serves as the Global Head of Redesign Health.
I am a proud former first-generation college student who is now a first-generation professional. I have 6+ years of professional experience working with students and their families to navigate the higher education system. I recently (within the last 5 years) obtained a master's degree in education with an emphasis in Student Affairs from UCLA. I attended University of California, Berkeley for my undergraduate education and my major was Psychology with a minor in Chicano Studies. My passion is to assist students and their families on their higher education journey. A skill I feel I have while working with students is truly listening to their wants and needs and adapting my advising from there. I approach my work by honoring my students' lived experiences. On a one-on-one basis I’ve assisted with creating college school lists, academic road mapping, how to choose and change a major, financial aid, and career prep. Outside of student affairs I enjoy reading, cycling, and spending time with my family and friends.
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Hello! My name is Persis and I am a senior at Princeton University studying neuropsychology, with a minor in African-American studies. As a first-generation college student from an underprivileged background, I am passionate about college access. I was accepted into prestigious summer programs and colleges, and earned over 1.5 million dollars in scholarships. Over the past four years, I have helped students get accepted into Yale, Princeton, Bates, and George Washington, among others. I assist students throughout the entire college process: researching schools, writing essays, finding recommenders, applying for scholarships, and choosing programs. Most notably, I have helped many students get full-tuition scholarships to their dream schools. You don’t need to be a prodigy, valedictorian, or class president to enter your target program! Nor do you need to be highly connected or wealthy. I empower my students to highlight the skills and experiences they already have, to show their unique value in their applications. In college, I started off pre-med, conducting and publishing neuroscience research. I was interested in marketing, and was selected from externships at Google and P&G. Now, I am pursuing a career in private equity and have had prestigious internships on Wall Street and in Silicon Valley. I have a hybrid of experiences that I can pull from to advise you. I’m excited to work with you!
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As a first-generation college student, I understand how daunting the college admissions process may seem to those who have no experience with it. Despite the challenges I encountered, I was admitted to every college I applied to and learned how the process works along the way. I bring my past advising experiences helping students draft and write essays, create college application plans, and manage their time to my role as an Advisor. The pride in seeing my students succeed makes me excited to help you on your journey to college. I believe that behind every successful student there are individuals who have helped them find and express their voice, and I can’t wait to work with you to accomplish this!
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CollegeAdvisor Reviews from Students accepted to Harvard
Lauren Weston
Harvard University
I started working with CollegeAdvisor three weeks before the deadline and I hadn’t started writing any of my essays. I had watched a lot of YouTube videos about college essays, but most of them did nothing but scare me, because I thought that I could never write like that. Once I got an interview, I also received excellent interview preparation. I didn’t apply to any other schools, except for UCLA and UC Berkeley. I reused a lot of my essays for those applications. In the end, I got accepted to all of them! I could not have wished for better support during this very stressful time.
Devangana Rana
Harvard University
I had an amazing experience with CollegeAdvisor. My mentor helped me immensely with the college application process and made sure that my essays were polished and the best that they could be. He answered any questions that I had regarding the college process and made sure that I didn’t feel lost or confused. I would not be attending Harvard on a full-ride scholarship this fall as an international student without the help and support of CollegeAdvisor! Thank you so much!
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