Key Takeaways:
- Harvard University was named the #2 Top Best College by College Raptor in 2026.
- Founded in 1636, the school has produced influential individuals, including CEOs, world leaders, and Olympians.
- Harvard is highly selective, but students can improve their admissions chances with a high GPA, rigorous schedule, and well-rounded application.
Chensiyuan via Wikimedia Commons
Year after year, Harvard University is one of the top-ranked schools on College Raptor’s Top 50 Best Colleges – and for good reason! If you’re thinking about applying to Harvard, here are some things you should know about the school’s history, why it’s so famous, and how you could improve your chances of getting a coveted acceptance letter.
Harvard University was ranked #2 by College Raptor for 2026
For the 2026 Top 50 Best Colleges in the United States by College Raptor, Harvard University came out second! Regularly ranked one of the best schools in the country, College Raptor’s rankings take a number of factors into account when naming the top colleges and universities. These include diversity, endowment, graduation rates, student-to-faculty ratios, first-year retention rates, and more.
College Raptor also named Harvard the:
A short history of Harvard
A private Ivy League research university, Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Initially, it was founded as Harvard College (named for its benefactor, John Harvard) in 1636. By the 1800s, the school was one of the most prestigious among Boston’s elite. Women were admitted in the late 19th century and the school experienced rapid growth during the 20th.
Fast facts
- Student Enrollment: 28,329
- School Motto: Veritas (Latin for “Truth”)
- Newspaper: The Harvard Crimson
- Student Nickname: Crimson
- School Colors: Crimson, white, and black
- Mascot: John Harvard
- Some Famous Alumni: John Adams, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Theodore Roosevelt, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Michelle Obama, Ketanji Brown Jackson, T.S. Eliot
Why is Harvard University famous?
Harvard University’s student body and faculty are world-renowned for their exceptional academic abilities. Home to cutting-edge facilities and libraries, the school offers a wealth of opportunities and conducts groundbreaking research in a number of fields. Harvard also has a strong sense of tradition, extensive alumni network, low student-to-faculty ratio, and robust financial aid program.
Harvard University has produced Presidents of the United States, living billionaires, Olympic athletes (who have won 110 medals), Fulbright Scholars, Rhode Scholars, and others who are outstanding in their field. Students and faculty are committed to research, innovation, public service, and overall learning. In addition, the university is known for its long-standing traditions and outstanding athletic programs.
The stats
The statistics behind Harvard University demonstrate why it’s not just a good school, but a top-rated institution in the United States:
- Four-year graduation rate: 86% (#47 in the United States)
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 (#64 in the United States)
- First year retention rate: 98% (#28 in the United States)
- Endowment: $50,748,594,000 (#1 in the United States)
- Diversity: #80 in the United States
- Enrolling class of 2026: 1,675
How to get into Harvard
Over 54,000 students applied to Harvard University in 2025 – and accepted only 3.7% of applicants. To say Harvard is highly selective would be an understatement!
Here are some tips for increasing your chances of getting a coveted acceptance letter from Harvard:
- Aim for top grades with academic rigor. An unweighted 4.0 GPA isn’t enough by itself. Students need to get high grades along with a rigorous schedule.
- Learn outside the classroom. Harvard wants to see a passion for learning from its students and that means taking initiative through extracurricular activities, internships, and other opportunities.
- Do well on the SAT/ACT. Harvard is no longer test-optional. On average, accepted students have between a 34 and 36 ACT Composite score or between 1510 and 1590 on the SAT. Take practice tests and work with a tutor to improve your scores.
- Show community involvement. Harvard values students who are part of their community, demonstrate leadership, and help impact the world around them. Athletics, student clubs, and volunteer work will go far on these applications!
- Apply early. Schools tend to have higher acceptance rates during early application cycles. However, Harvard uses Restrictive Early Action, which means you can only apply to one school under this admissions deadline.
- Develop a standout application. Your application should showcase why you’d be an excellent addition to the school. You’ll need a stellar essay, full list of your accomplishments, and outstanding letters of recommendation.
Is Harvard a Fit for You?
Harvard University has an almost 400-year history, is globally renowned for its academic and research programs, and produces students who go on to achieve amazing things. It’s clear from the statistics why Harvard is a top-rated school for 2026! Learn more about Harvard University, acceptance chances, cost, and more right here.
Do you think Harvard University is a good fit for you? Do you want to see how you stack up against other students aiming to get into top-rated universities and colleges? Our College Match tool shows you your accepted odds. Sign up for free here.
