Harvard University Computer Science Degrees
Harvard University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Bachelor’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.
Students seeking computer science degrees at the highest level of learning should look at Harvard University. Regularly ranked as a top university throughout the world, Harvard University offers a well-rounded education to accompany its computer science degrees.
Students interested in pursuing a computer science degree through Harvard attend the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Undergraduates on their path to earning a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science start with first-year exploration. This first year includes courses like Introduction to Computer Science, Systems Programming and Machine Organization, Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science and Data Structures and Algorithms.
Some students may wish to pursue a different degree but have a concentration in Computer Science. This choice allows students to have a more well-rounded approach to education while also learning the necessary skills to succeed in a computer science career field.
The graduate program at Harvard allows students to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science. This degree is granted through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Students interested in a Ph.D. should expect to spend no fewer than three years of study. The university also offers master’s degrees in computational science and engineering or data science.
Harvard University supplements its computer science programs by offering clubs and organizations that allow students to congregate with one another outside of class. Clubs include the Harvard Computer Society, Women in Computer Science, the Harvard College Cyber Club and many others.
About Harvard University
Harvard University is the oldest university in the United States. It is also one of the most prestigious. Harvard is regularly ranked as one of the top universities at the national and global levels. U.S. News and World Report and Washington Monthly rank Harvard as the second school in the United States. The Academic Ranking of World Universities ranks Harvard in the top spot of all universities around the globe.
Harvard was established in 1636 and named for the Reverend John Harvard. Alumni includes over 30 foreign heads of state, eight presidents and numerous Nobel laureates, Turing Award winners and Fields medalists. Actors, politicians and Olympic gold medalists have studied at Harvard. Other Harvard alums include Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, poet Gertrude Stein, and numerous Supreme Court justices.
Harvard University Accreditation Details
Harvard University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The university undergoes reaccreditation every 10 years and provides an interim accreditation to the New England Commission of Higher Education every five years. This accreditation assures the quality of Harvard’s undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and certificate programs. Harvard’s various schools and courses of study may have additional accreditations from governing bodies that specialize in specific fields.
Harvard University Application Requirements
First-year applicants must complete the common application and supplementary Harvard application. They must provide college entrance test scores, two SAT subject tests, high school transcripts, any AP exams, two reports from high school teachers, a midyear school report and a final school report. Students may also provide supplemental materials that include essays, art, musical compositions, examples of academic work or videos. The cost of the application is $75.
Only about five percent of applicants to Harvard are accepted. Most students accepted at Harvard have an SAT score of no lower than 1460 and an ACT score of no lower than 32. Students are expected to hold a 4.0 GPA throughout their high school careers.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost of undergraduate tuition at Harvard University is $47,730 per year. In addition, students must pay for room and board as well as any class-related fees. Harvard estimates the full billable price for an undergraduate student to be approximately $70,000 per year. All students are required to have health insurance. If they do not already possess health insurance, they may purchase student insurance for $3,700 per year.
Harvard works with families to determine financial aid packages. The university’s financial aid office uses the family’s income and assets to inform the amount of financial aid for which a student may or may not qualify. Most families are expected to pay about 10 percent of their income for a Harvard education. Any family that earns less than $65,000 per year should receive an aid package that covers the cost of attending Harvard. In addition to the parental contribution, students are expected to work in the summers in order to help pay tuition. This expected work is taken into consideration as well.
Harvard University does not provide any merit-based scholarships. However, students who earn these scholarships from outside of the university may use the award money to pay tuition. Any and all awards must be presented to Harvard’s financial aid office when they are determining financial aid packages.
The university does not recommend that students take out loans to pay for tuition. Those who wish to take out loans may do so using Harvard loans or personal loans from an outside entity.
Graduate school fees at Harvard are about $48,000 per year for the first two years of study. Third and fourth years of study are offered at a reduced rate of about $12,500. Graduate students must also pay any related fees, housing and health insurance.
Unlike undergraduate offerings at Harvard, graduate students are not given automatic financial aid packages based on family income. Students may use outside awards or grants to help pay tuition. They may also qualify for fellowships. Most students take advantage of student loans that are offered at the federal level. In order to qualify for one of these loans, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is also used for work-study programs.
Harvard does allow students to pay their tuition on a monthly plan if they are unable to pay tuition in a lump sum. The cost of the payment plan is an additional $35 per semester.
Learn more about Harvard University and the school’s computer science program by visiting the departmental website.
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