Harvard University
Ranking, cost of attendance, the financial aid policy for international students, tests and deadlines, checked against Harvard’s own pages.
Check my chances at HarvardLast updated 4 October 2026Figures checked against official sources, listed at the end
Harvard University: highlights
Harvard, founded in 1636, is the oldest university in the United States and ranks 5th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Its admissions and financial aid process is the same for every applicant, whatever their nationality, which makes it one of the most affordable options for a Bangladeshi student who is admitted.
- After HSC: US universities do not set an HSC cut-off. Harvard reviews your whole school record, test scores, essays and recommendations together.
- Total cost: USD 95,134 to 100,134 for 2026-27, including tuition of USD 62,226, housing and food.
- Financial aid: Need-blind for international students, full need met.
- Tests: SAT or ACT required. Where those tests are not accessible, AP, IB, A-level or national leaving exam results may be used instead.
- Deadlines: Restrictive Early Action: 1 November. Regular Decision: 1 January.
Key facts
Harvard University is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Asking for a fee waiver does not disadvantage your application.
Harvard rankings
| Ranking | Position |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 5 in the world |
Cost of attendance
US universities publish one cost of attendance instead of a fee per course. These are Harvard’s figures for 2026-27, and they are close to the amount your I-20 will show.
| Item | Amount a year |
|---|---|
| Tuition | USD 62,226 |
| Fees | USD 6,216 |
| Housing | USD 14,250 |
| Food | USD 8,942 |
| Personal expenses | USD 2,500 |
| Books | USD 1,000 |
| Transport | USD 0 to 5,000 |
| Total | USD 95,134 to 100,134 |
| Health insurance, if needed | USD 4,954 |
The same tuition applies to every undergraduate major. Travel between Bangladesh and the US is extra.
Admission requirements for Bangladeshi students
| Your qualification or level | What Harvard asks for |
|---|---|
| HSC or A levels | Completion of secondary school. There is no fixed minimum mark; admission is holistic and highly selective |
| Standardised tests | SAT or ACT required. Where those tests are not accessible, AP, IB, A-level or national leaving exam results may be used instead |
| School documents | Official transcripts sent by your school, with certified English translations where needed |
| Master’s and PhD Each graduate department runs its own admission, with its own tests, deadlines and funding. Check the department page |
Admission rates at this level are very low for every applicant, so apply to a range of universities.
English language scores
| Test or course | Minimum |
|---|---|
| English proficiency test | Optional. TOEFL or IELTS scores can be sent but are not required |
Harvard: yearly intakes
Harvard admits first-year students once a year, for the fall term that starts in August or September. You choose an early or a regular round.
| Intake | Classes start | Apply by | Open for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Early Action | August or September | 1 November | Decision: mid-December |
| Regular Decision | August or September | 1 January | Decision: end of March |
Asking for a fee waiver does not disadvantage your application.
How to apply
- Take the required tests
SAT or ACT required. Where those tests are not accessible, AP, IB, A-level or national leaving exam results may be used instead. Book early, because test dates in Bangladesh fill up.
- Submit the application
Application fee: USD 95, with fee waivers available.
- Apply for financial aid at the same time
If you need aid, ask for it in the same application cycle. Need-blind for international students, full need met.
- Receive your I-20
After you accept an offer and show how the first-year cost will be covered, the university issues the I-20 you need for the visa.
- Apply for the F-1 visa
Pay the SEVIS fee, submit the DS-160 at least 7 days before your interview, and attend the interview at the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Financial aid for international students
Harvard University
- Policy
- Need-blind for international students, full need met
- Based on
- Family finances
- Apply
- With your admission application
- US federal aid
- Not available
Harvard is need-blind for all applicants, including international students, and meets 100% of demonstrated need. Families earning under USD 100,000 a year are expected to contribute nothing, and those earning USD 100,000 to 200,000 receive aid covering at least full tuition. All aid is need-based; there are no merit scholarships.
View on official site ↗International students do not qualify for US federal aid, so university funding matters most.
Living costs at Harvard
Housing and food are already part of the cost of attendance above: USD 23,192 for housing and food for 2026-27.
There is no single national figure for the US. You must show funds that cover the first-year cost on your I-20, with balances built up over 6 to 12 months. The F-1 visa costs USD 535 in total: a USD 185 application fee and a USD 350 SEVIS fee.
What one year costs in total
The full first-year cost is USD 95,134 to 100,134 for 2026-27, before any financial aid. Travel and, where needed, health insurance are extra.
Work and careers after Harvard
Reputation
- 5 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
- Need-blind for international students, full need met.
Work while you study
- On-campus jobs for up to 20 hours a week during term on an F-1 visa.
- Off-campus work needs authorisation, such as Curricular Practical Training.
Stay after graduating
- Optional Practical Training gives 12 months of work.
- STEM graduates can extend it by 24 months.
Harvard: FAQs
Can I get into Harvard with HSC?
You can apply with the HSC. US universities do not publish an HSC cut-off: Harvard looks at your full school record, test scores, essays and recommendations. Asking for a fee waiver does not disadvantage your application.
How much does Harvard cost for international students?
The full cost of attendance for 2026-27 is USD 95,134 to 100,134, which includes tuition of USD 62,226 and USD 23,192 for housing and food.
Does Harvard give financial aid to Bangladeshi students?
Harvard is need-blind for all applicants, including international students, and meets 100% of demonstrated need. Families earning under USD 100,000 a year are expected to contribute nothing, and those earning USD 100,000 to 200,000 receive aid covering at least full tuition. All aid is need-based; there are no merit scholarships.
Do I need the SAT or ACT for Harvard?
SAT or ACT required. Where those tests are not accessible, AP, IB, A-level or national leaving exam results may be used instead.
When is the Harvard deadline?
Restrictive Early Action: 1 November. Regular Decision: 1 January. Classes start in August or September.
How much money do I need to show for the F-1 visa?
Enough to cover the first-year cost on your I-20, which is close to USD 95,134 to 100,134 before any aid. A financial aid award reduces the amount you must show.
Plan the rest
Official sources
- Harvard College: how aid works ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- Harvard College: international applicants ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- Harvard College: first-year applicants ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- QS World University Rankings 2027 ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- U.S. Embassy Dhaka: nonimmigrant visas ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
These are dated editorial checks, not a live data feed. Recheck the original page before applying or paying.
About this guide. Researched by the Student Visa From Bangladesh editorial team from the official sources listed above and last checked on 4 October 2026. We are not a university or a government agency, and admission and visa outcomes are never guaranteed. Read our editorial policy.