Harvard University stands out with its exceptionally low acceptance rate and massive endowment, indicating high selectivity and financial resources. It also has a better student-to-faculty ratio. The University of Cambridge, however, boasts a larger campus, a higher job placement rate and a higher percentage of international postgraduate students.
| Attribute | University of Cambridge | Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Undergraduate: 21-25% (offer rate 20-21%), Postgraduate: 29-43% (offer rate) | Approximately 3.59% for the Class of 2028 |
| Tuition Fees (per year) | Home students: £9,535 (for 2025 starters), International students: £24,507 to £63,990 | Undergraduate: $57,246 (2023-2024), estimated $56,550 (2024-2025). Graduate: Varies (e.g., Harvard Business School (MBA) is $73,440, Harvard Law School (JD) is $70,430, and Harvard Medical School (MD) is $66,284) |
| Student-to-Faculty Ratio | Approximately 10:1 (other sources state 11.5:1 or 12:1) | 7:1 |
| Research Output (publications, citations) | Very high | Doctoral University with Very High Research Activity |
| Global Ranking (e.g., QS, THE) | QS World University Rankings 2026: 6th, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025: 5th | Consistently ranks among the top universities globally |
| Number of Undergraduate Programs | Over 300 | Offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs in 92 areas of study |
| Number of Graduate Programs | Over 300 | 12 graduate and professional schools |
| Endowment Size | £6.441 billion (as of July 31, 2018) | $53.2 billion (as of June 30, 2024) |
| Campus Size (acres) | 1,520 acres | Main campus: 209 acres in Cambridge, Allston campus: 358 acres, Medical campus: 21 acres. Total area covered by the campus of Harvard University is 380 acres. |
| Percentage of International Students | Undergraduate: Approximately 25%, Postgraduate: Over 50% | Approximately 23.8% |
| Graduation Rate | 95.2% placement rate | 97-98% |
| Job Placement Rate after Graduation | 86% within three months for MBA graduates, Around 96% within 6 months of completing the course (job or higher education) | 77% |