Harvard Extension School
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Student life at the Extension School differs dramatically from traditional university experiences. Most students are working adults who fit coursework around professional and personal responsibilities. Evening classes run from 5:30 or 7:40 PM, allowing students to work during the day. Online students may be located anywhere in the world, participating asynchronously or during live sessions held at times often inconvenient for their time zones. Campus presence varies by student circumstance. Boston-area students attending evening classes develop familiarity with Harvard's campus, libraries, and facilities. Online students may never set foot in Cambridge, completing entire degrees remotely. Intensive residential programs during January and summer create immersive experiences where students live on campus and focus exclusively on coursework, often the closest Extension students come to traditional college experience. Student organizations exist but play a smaller role than at residential institutions. The Extension Student Association coordinates social events and represents student interests. Study groups form organically among students taking the same courses. Professional networking occurs through career services events and alumni connections. However, students seeking the full collegiate experience of residential life, athletics, and immersive campus community will not find it at the Extension School. Work-life-study balance is the central challenge. Successful students develop strong time management skills, often carving out study time early in the morning or late at night. Family support is crucial for students with children or other caregiving responsibilities. The flexibility that makes Extension School accessible is the same flexibility that requires students to provide their own structure and motivation.
Location & Surroundings
The Harvard Extension School is administratively housed on Harvard's main campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with evening courses held in classroom buildings across the historic Harvard Yard and surrounding areas. The campus setting provides genuine Harvard atmosphere for students attending in-person classes, with access to libraries, museums, and other university resources. Cambridge and nearby Boston offer the cultural and intellectual richness of a major academic center. The concentration of universities including Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and numerous others creates a distinctive environment where intellectual pursuit is valued and visible. Museums, libraries, theaters, and cultural events provide enrichment beyond coursework. For online students, location is functionally irrelevant to the academic experience but shapes practical considerations around residency requirements for certain degrees and potential on-campus intensive components. Some degrees require a period of residency through January or summer intensive courses, requiring students to travel to Cambridge. Boston's climate features cold, snowy winters and humid summers. Transportation options include the MBTA subway system (the "T"), which connects Cambridge to Boston neighborhoods, though parking near Harvard is limited and expensive. Logan International Airport provides domestic and international connections. Cost of living in the Boston area is high, though students living elsewhere and studying online avoid these costs while potentially facing different expenses for campus visits.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition at the Extension School is charged per course rather than as an annual fee, reflecting the school's part-time, course-by-course model. Graduate courses cost approximately $3,100-3,400 each, while undergraduate courses range from approximately $1,800-2,200. Total degree costs vary by program length but typically range from $25,000-40,000 for undergraduate degrees and $30,000-55,000 for master's degrees, spread over several years of part-time study. These costs are substantially lower than traditional Harvard programs and competitive with other online and part-time graduate options. However, financial aid is limited compared to Harvard's undergraduate college. Some scholarships are available for Extension students, and students may access federal financial aid for eligible programs. The ability to pay course-by-course provides flexibility for students managing educational expenses alongside other financial obligations. Career outcomes vary widely given the diversity of student backgrounds and goals. Working professionals often seek promotions, salary increases, or career pivots enabled by their credentials and new skills. Career changers use Extension degrees as bridges to new fields. The Harvard credential carries recognition that opens doors, particularly when combined with the practical experience most Extension students already possess. Career services provides resume assistance, job postings, career counseling, and networking events. The alumni network includes over 100,000 Extension School graduates, many willing to advise and mentor current students. Employers familiar with the Extension School model value graduates who have demonstrated the discipline and capability to complete demanding programs while managing other responsibilities. The value proposition of Extension School degrees depends significantly on individual circumstances. For working professionals seeking credential enhancement, the combination of Harvard reputation and part-time accessibility is compelling. For traditional students seeking typical college experiences, other options may better meet their needs.
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