Universities: Harvard University vs. University of Oxford

Quick Verdict

Both Harvard University and the University of Oxford are world-renowned institutions with exceptional academic reputations. Harvard boasts a lower acceptance rate and a larger endowment, while Oxford often achieves higher global rankings and has a unique collegiate structure integrated within the city. The choice between the two depends on individual preferences regarding campus environment, program specifics, and location.

Harvard has a significantly lower acceptance rate (3.59%) compared to Oxford (13-17% for undergraduates).
Harvard's endowment size is substantially larger at $53.2 billion compared to Oxford's University endowment of £1.3 billion, though Oxford's colleges collectively hold £5.06 billion.
Oxford consistently ranks higher in global rankings, often appearing at #1 or in the top 5, while Harvard also maintains a top 5 position.
Harvard's student-to-faculty ratio is lower (7:1) than Oxford's (11:1 for undergraduates), suggesting more personalized attention.
Oxford's campus is integrated within the city of Oxford, comprising 43 constituent colleges, while Harvard has a more traditional campus in Cambridge, MA.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Harvard University	University of Oxford
Acceptance Rate	Approximately 3.59% (Class of 2028)	Undergraduate: 13-17% (2024: 14.1%), Offer rate: 1 in 6. Graduate: 27%
Tuition and Fees	Around $61,676 per year (full-time students in Harvard College). Total cost of attendance is approximately $86,794 for the 2023-2024 academic year.	International Undergraduate: £35,260 to £59,260 annually. Graduate: £29,350 to £59,360. UK Students (2025-2026): £9,535 annually
Student-to-Faculty Ratio	7:1	Undergraduate: 11:1
Research Output	Citations per faculty scored 99.9/100. High volume of published work, widespread use in global academic literature, especially in medicine, economics, public policy, and law.	£778.9 million from research grants and contracts (fiscal year ending July 31, 2024)
Endowment Size	$53.2 billion (as of June 30, 2024)	University: £1.3 billion. Colleges: £5.06 billion (2023: £6.4 billion)
Global Ranking	QS World University Rankings 2026: #5, Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025: #3	QS World University Rankings: #4 globally (2025: #1 in English Language and Literature, Anatomy and Physiology, and Geography). Times Higher Education (THE): #1 globally (2024: #1 for the third straight year)
Number of Undergraduate Programs	50	Offers around 3,300 undergraduate places annually
Number of Graduate Programs	134 graduate degrees and 32 professional degrees	Offers around 5,500 graduate places annually
Campus Size and Facilities	5,076 acres, including the main campus in Cambridge, MA (approximately 209 acres). Includes academic buildings, dorms, green spaces like Harvard Yard, recreational facilities, and libraries.	No main campus; buildings scattered around the city center. 43 constituent colleges. Operates Ashmolean Museum and largest academic library system nationwide.
Alumni Network Strength	Over 400,000 alumni worldwide	Over 250,000 individuals
Location and Accessibility	Cambridge, Massachusetts, about three miles (five km) west-northwest of downtown Boston. Three campuses: Cambridge, Allston (Boston), and Longwood Medical Area (Boston).	Oxford, England
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives	Need-blind admissions. Aims for a wide-ranging population of scholars, providing opportunities to traditionally underrepresented groups.	2020-21: 68.6% state school-educated students, 23.6% BAME students, 10.4% students with disabilities

Overall Comparison

Harvard University: 3.59% Acceptance Rate, $53.2B Endowment. University of Oxford: 14.1% Undergraduate Acceptance Rate, £1.3B University Endowment, Consistently Top-Ranked Globally.

Pros and Cons

Harvard University

Pros:

Rigorous academic curriculum
Available research opportunities for undergraduate/graduate students with funding and faculty mentorship
Accessible professors and teaching staff due to a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio
Vibrant and diverse campus life
Extensive mental health and wellness resources
Commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility

Cons:

Academics can be quite rigorous with high expectations
On-campus housing food is pretty average

University of Oxford

Pros:

Academically rigorous curriculum
Personalized attention due to low student-to-faculty ratio
Vast research opportunities
Extensive career services and internship opportunities
On-campus housing available
Diverse student body
Numerous extracurricular activities and student organizations
Strong musical and drama scene
Welfare support in every college
Commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility

Cons:

No major disadvantages reported.

User Experiences and Feedback

Harvard University

What Users Love

Personalized attention from professors due to the student-to-faculty ratio
Sense of belonging fostered by upperclass houses with dining halls, common areas, libraries, and recreational facilities
Extensive support network for mental health and wellness
Students can engage with a broader range of perspectives
Opportunities to traditionally underrepresented groups

Common Complaints

High expectations in terms of course load, research, and other academic commitments
Food is pretty average

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Academics at Harvard can be quite rigorous.
Expectations in terms of course load, research, and other academic commitments can be high.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Harvard University is approximately 7:1, which allows for more personalized attention and increased opportunities to interact with professors.
Each house is like a small community with its own dining hall, common areas, libraries, and recreational facilities, helping to provide a sense of belonging.
The food is pretty average—nothing to get excited about.
Harvard provides many wellness resources for its students.
From mindfulness workshops and yoga classes to guidance from mental health professionals, the support network is extensive.

University of Oxford

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.