Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) stands as the preeminent institution for public policy education, training leaders who shape government, nonprofit, and international organizations worldwide. Named for President John F. Kennedy, the school was founded in 1936 as the Graduate School of Public Administration before expanding into its current comprehensive form. HKS brings together exceptional students with government experience, military service, NGO leadership, and other public sector backgrounds from over 100 countries. The school combines rigorous academic training with practical skills development through case studies, simulations, and field experiences. Faculty research centers including Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, and numerous others drive policy debates globally. Alumni serve in cabinet positions, as heads of state, and in leadership roles across the public and social sectors.
- 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 Kennedy School reflects the intensity of professional education combined with the opportunities of Harvard's broader community. The school's location in a dedicated building on the Cambridge side of the Charles River creates a distinct home base while allowing easy access to other Harvard schools and Boston. The student population's prior professional experience creates different dynamics than typical graduate programs. Many students have families, maintaining households while completing degrees. The average age runs higher than at law or business schools drawing directly from college. Life experience shapes classroom discussions and social interactions. Student organizations address policy interests from climate change to education reform to international security. Political engagement runs high, with events bringing speakers from government, media, and advocacy organizations. Election seasons particularly energize campus as students connect coursework to current contests. The Forum serves as the school's public events venue, hosting prominent figures for talks and debates. These events provide exposure to leaders and thinkers students might read about but rarely encounter personally. The concentration of such opportunities represents a significant benefit of the HKS experience. Social connections form through cohort experiences, shared interests, and geographic or professional affinity groups. Career transitions can create stress alongside educational demands. Students balance ambition for impact with present obligations to learning.
Location & Surroundings
Cambridge offers an ideal setting for policy education, combining intellectual resources with proximity to Boston's government and nonprofit sectors. The Kennedy School campus sits along the Charles River, a short walk from Harvard's main campus and across the water from Boston. Public transit connects easily to downtown and surrounding areas. Washington, D.C. lies accessible by short flights or train for the many programs, internships, and networking opportunities centered in the nation's capital. New York provides another hub for international policy and nonprofit work. The East Coast location places students within reasonable reach of major centers of power and influence. Boston's own policy community provides local engagement opportunities. State government, city agencies, and numerous nonprofits offer field experiences and research sites. The concentration of universities creates an ecosystem of policy discussion that extends beyond any single institution. Weather follows New England patterns with genuine winters requiring adjustment for those from warmer climates. Snow, cold, and short winter days challenge students accustomed to different conditions. The academic calendar means most classroom time occurs during darker, colder months. Spring brings relief and the intensity of finishing academic work. Living costs in Cambridge run high by most standards. Housing near campus remains expensive and competitive. Many students live in surrounding communities accessible by transit. The cost of living adds to educational expenses requiring careful financial planning.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition at the Kennedy School runs approximately $60,000 annually, with total cost of attendance exceeding $100,000 per year after living expenses, health insurance, and incidentals. Two-year programs thus require planning for investment approaching $200,000 or more. These figures demand serious consideration of financing and return on investment. Financial aid follows need-based principles with some merit recognition. Loans constitute significant portions of most aid packages. Fellowship support from external organizations supplements university aid. Students from public sector backgrounds may face more financial stress than peers from private sector positions. Career outcomes span government, nonprofit, and private sectors with policy focus. Government positions from federal agencies to international organizations recruit Kennedy School graduates. Consulting firms value analytical training. Nonprofit leadership positions welcome HKS credentials. Social enterprises and impact investing represent emerging paths. Starting salaries vary enormously by sector. Government positions typically pay less than private sector alternatives. Nonprofit salaries run modest by Boston living cost standards. Consulting and finance offer higher compensation for those choosing those directions. Loan repayment capacity depends significantly on career choices. Career services maintains strong employer relationships and facilitates networking throughout the policy community. Alumni connections open doors across sectors and geographies. The Kennedy School name carries recognition that helps graduates throughout careers. The public service framing creates tension for graduates pursuing lucrative private sector positions. Some find ways to integrate financial security with policy impact. Others feel pulled between competing values. The school grapples with this dynamic as it prepares leaders whose influence varies with the paths they choose.
Campus Location
Explore More
See your match score for Harvard Kennedy School
Find out how you compare to admitted students with a personalized admission assessment.
See your match score — Sign up free