Universities: Harvard University vs. University of Cambridge

Quick Verdict

Both Harvard University and the University of Cambridge are world-renowned institutions with exceptional academic reputations. Harvard boasts a more selective admissions process and a larger endowment, while Cambridge offers a wider range of undergraduate programs. The choice between the two depends on individual preferences regarding location, specific programs of interest, and financial considerations.

Harvard has a significantly lower acceptance rate compared to Cambridge.
Harvard's endowment size is substantially larger than Cambridge's.
Cambridge offers a greater variety of undergraduate programs than Harvard.
Both universities are highly ranked globally and have strong alumni networks.
Harvard's tuition is higher than Cambridge's for home students, but comparable to international student fees at Cambridge.
Both universities emphasize diversity and inclusion.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Harvard University	University of Cambridge
Acceptance Rate	Approximately 3.59% for the Class of 2028	Undergraduate: ~21%
Tuition Fees (Undergraduate)	$57,246 for the academic year 2023-2024	Home students: £9,535 per year. International students: £22,227 to £58,038 per year
Student-to-Faculty Ratio	7:1	Approximately 10:1
Research Output (Publications)	'Very high' research activity	375,031 scientific papers published, 17,393,792 citations received
Endowment Size	$53.2 billion as of June 30, 2024	£3.736 billion (fiscal year ending July 31, 2023, excluding colleges)
Global Ranking	QS World University Rankings 2026: #5; U.S. News & World Report: #3; THE World University Rankings 2025: #3	QS World University Rankings 2026: 6th; THE World University Rankings 2025: 5th
Number of Undergraduate Programs	50	Nearly 200
Number of Graduate Programs	134 graduate degrees, 32 professional degrees, and 359 graduate programs	Nearly 200
Campus Size and Facilities	Main campus: 209 acres. Additional campuses in Allston (358 acres) and Longwood Medical Area (21 acres).	617 hectares (1,520 acres). 31 colleges. 116 libraries.
Alumni Network Strength	Includes 188 living billionaires, 8 former US Presidents, over 150 Nobel Prize winners, and many Pulitzer Prize winners.	124 Nobel Prizes won by Cambridge alumni, academics, and affiliates.
Location and Accessibility	Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. Three campuses: Cambridge, Allston, and Longwood Medical Area.	Cambridge, England; centrally located, with many older colleges near the River Cam.
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives	Diverse student body. Committed to diversity and inclusivity.	Committed to equality of opportunity, supporting under-represented groups, promoting an inclusive culture, and valuing diversity.

Overall Comparison

Harvard: 3.59% acceptance rate, $53.2B endowment. Cambridge: ~21% acceptance rate, £3.736B endowment, ~200 undergraduate programs.

Pros and Cons

Harvard University

Pros:

Extremely selective acceptance rate
Low student-to-faculty ratio (7:1)
Very high research activity
Largest academic endowment in the world
Strong and influential alumni network
Diverse student body
Committed to diversity and inclusivity
Offers need-blind admissions and 100% need-based aid
Interdisciplinary learning and research opportunities
Extracurricular activities with over 450 student organizations and 125 community service programs
On-campus housing available for almost all undergraduates (97%)

Cons:

No major disadvantages reported.

University of Cambridge

Pros:

World-class research university
High global ranking
Strong alumni network
Vast number of clubs and student organizations
Personalized education through small group sessions
Extensive library resources
Dedicated support services for disabled students
Various support services for student mental health and well-being

Cons:

No major disadvantages reported.

User Experiences and Feedback

Harvard University

What Users Love

Need-blind admissions and 100% need-based aid
Small class sizes and collaborative research opportunities
Interdisciplinary learning and research focus
Strong alumni network for career development
Resources available for students with disabilities
On-campus housing for almost all undergraduates
Support for student mental health and well-being

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

Affordable education options with scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, and other expenses for students with family income less than $65,000 USD
Personalized attention and increased opportunities to interact with professors due to low student-to-faculty ratio
Collaborative research opportunities and honors track with one-on-one supervision by professors and tutors
High employment outcomes with a score of 96.4/100
Diverse student body with students from various backgrounds
Accessible learning and working environment for students with disabilities
Active and supportive alumni network for career development
Numerous extracurricular activities and community service programs
Support for student mental health and well-being through Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

User Recommendations

Harvard makes sure that they have an affordable option for your education and follows two important principles: need-blind admissions and 100% need-based aid.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, Harvard fosters small class sizes and collaborative research opportunities.
Half of Harvard students also choose an honors track, requiring theses or research projects for their senior year, which includes one-on-one supervision by professors and tutors.
The Employment Outcomes metric received a score of 96.4/100.
Harvard's alumni network is strong and supportive for career development.
Almost all Harvard undergraduates (97%) live in on-campus housing throughout their college careers.

University of Cambridge

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.